NFL Fans Can't Get Over Bizarre Finish to Chiefs' Win Over Raiders

They can keep getting away with this, evidently.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) reacts after a missed field goal by the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Throughout much of the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs have dominated their competition. In 2024, however, the Chiefs have strung together a remarkable run of close wins, with nine of their 11 victories coming by a single score of more. Kansas City has made a habit of pulling out games in incredibly unexpected ways, and Friday's 19–17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders may be their pièce de résistance.

Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell engineered a promising two-minute drill, driving the Raiders from their own 8-yard line into field goal range. On a third-and-3 from the Chiefs' 32-yard line with 15 seconds left, center Jackson Powers-Johnson snapped the ball early to an unprepared O'Connell, hitting him in the chest. The Kansas City defense recovered, and after a lengthy discussion among the officials, the play was ruled a turnover, sealing the game for the Chiefs.

A Raiders field goal was no guarantee, but Kansas City was in deep trouble until it was bailed out by the fluky play. Fans and members of the media watching the Black Friday showdown couldn't believe that the Chiefs pulled yet another rabbit out of a hat to move to 11–1 and clinch a playoff spot.

Ways the @chiefs have won this season:

*toe out of bounds
*game winning field goal
*defensive stop
*1st down to run out the clock
*TD in OT on 1st drive
*blocked FG on final play
*turnover when FG wins the game

It’s been absolutely wild

— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 29, 2024

that’s the most chiefs win and raiders loss ever.

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) November 29, 2024

The dumbest way possible to end a Chiefs game. And that's saying something.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 29, 2024

The Chiefs have now won 14 consecutive one-score games, the longest such streak in NFL history, per @ESPNStatsInfo.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 29, 2024

“The Chiefs are 11-1!”

…. pic.twitter.com/nuhSeGBFBQ

— Keith (@keithps22) November 29, 2024

Raiders driving down the field

The Chiefs sideline: pic.twitter.com/HZTiuyjedH

— 𓅪 (@ZappedByZay) November 29, 2024

While any team would sign for an 11–1 start to the season and an early playoff berth, Kansas City is far from a perfect team. Two tight wins against Las Vegas—now 2–10 on the season—raise real concerns for the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Chiefs' win over the Broncos wasn't luck. That was nothing but luck.

Kansas City clinches a playoff berth, but if the Chiefs are going to win the Super Bowl, there is a TON to fix.

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 29, 2024

It's kind of boring and simple at this point. Either all the Chiefs flaws catch up to them in the postseason (most likely in the conference championship game at this rate) or they manage to make it work again. The Bills will be a tough out. Lions and Eagles look fantastic.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 29, 2024

The 11-1 Chiefs have a worse point differential (+54) than multiple 7-5 teams. Broncos are +62, Commanders are +57.

Chiefs have the best record in the NFL and the third-best point-differential in their division.

— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) November 29, 2024

The Chiefs will look to put together a more complete performance when they return on Sunday, Dec. 8 against another potential playoff team out of the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers.

More of the Latest Around the NFL

feed