Raiders vs. Chiefs Live Game Updates, Analysis
KANSAS CITY, Mo.--The Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) are at Arrowhead Stadium, home of their arch-AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs (9-5), for what many believe will be a Christmas Day thriller.
The Raiders' NFL playoff hopes are still alive, and they are battling to see Interim Coach Antonio Pierce win the full-time job.
The Chiefs are not playing their best football as of late, but they still have the game's best quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and the best coach in Andy Reid.
Remember the rule of five: The game is over if the Raiders win that key statistical battle. It concerns sacks and turnovers for those who don't remember it. If the Raiders have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game. On average, teams that reach the rule of five scenarios win 91 percent of their NFL games.
Here are our staff and podcast guests' predictions for today:
Hondo Carpenter--24-21 Raiders       Matt Hladik--24-17 Chiefs Â
Jon Schopp--28-20 Chiefs             Zeke Trezevant--31-24 Chiefs
Aidan Champion--24-21 Chiefs         Brayden Reddy--28-24 KC
Here's how you can watch today's game:
TV: CBS, Nickelodeon
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
Kickoff: 10:00 a.m. PST / 1:00 p.m. EST
CBS and Nickelodeon will host Monday's game. If you are a resident of the Las Vegas area, you can watch the game on your mobile device through Raiders.com. You can also use the Raiders mobile app on iOS and Android.
Radio: KOMP 92.3 FM/Raider Nation Radio 920 AM
You can listen to the game on KOMP 92.3 FM and Raider Nation 920 AM, the flagship radio station for every Raiders game.
Click the link here for details regarding the Raiders' affiliate stations nationwide.
The Raiders app also provides radio coverage along with its broadcast.
The Chiefs and Raiders last met on Week 12, when Las Vegas fell at home, 31-17, after leading 14-0 early in the game. Kansas City has won the last six games and leads the all-time regular season series 71-53-2.
These played each other on Christmas Day once before. It was one of the many epic battles in their historic rivalry, with the Chiefs claimimng a 31-30 victory on Christmas Day in 2004.
The last time the Raiders played on Christmas Day was in 2017, when they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, 19-10.
Today is a must-win situation for the Raiders, who must capture their last three games to have a chance at the postseason.
Please keep refreshing your page for the latest updates.
START OF THE FIRST QUARTER:
THREE-AND-OUT: Raiders force the three-and-out off of a tackle for loss from Pro-Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby and a sack from defensive tackle Adam Butler.
SACK: Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell is sacked by Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for a loss of eight yards.
PENALTY: Illegal formation against Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton on the punt.
PENALTY: False start against Kansas City.
SACK: Raiders edge rusher Malcolm Koonce sacks Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a loss of nine yards, forcing the three-and-out.
PENALTY: 12 men on defense for the Chiefs.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 1: Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson's field goal from 24 yards is good. Las Vegas leads, 3-0.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Raiders with a 3-0 lead.
PENALTY: Defensive holding against Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson.
TIMEOUT: Chiefs use their first timeout of the first half.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 2: Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco takes the snap and runs it to the outside for a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Harrison Butker's extra point is good. Kansas City takes a 7-3 lead with just over seven and a half minutes remaining in the half.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 3: Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols picks up a Chiefs fumble and takes it to the house. Kick is mishandled, no extra point. Las Vegas leads, 9-7.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 4: Raiders cornerback Jack Jones with his second game in a row scoring on a pick-six. Las Vegas running back Brandon Bolden runs in the direct snap for the two-point conversion. Raiders now with a 17-7 edge.
TIMEOUT: Raiders use their first timeout of the half.
TIMEOUT: Kansas City uses its second timeout of the half.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING: Raiders lead, 17-7. Kansas City is in enemy territory.
TIMEOUT: Las Vegas uses its second timeout of the first half.
TIMEOUT: The Chiefs use their third timeout of the half. Fourth-and-four with nine seconds to go in the half.
MISSED FG: Butker's field goal from 36 yards is no good.
END OF THE FIRST HALF: Las Vegas holds a 17-7 advantage.
--
The Las Vegas Raiders' defensive dominance against the Los Angles Chargers in Week 15 carried right over into the first half of Monday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders scored two touchdowns on defensive plays -- one on a scoop-and-score from defensive tackle Bilal Nichols and another on a pick-six by cornerback Jack Jones. Both occurred within a matter of seven seconds.
At halftime, the Raiders have held Kansas City to 121 yards and seven points on offense.
Offensively, however, Las Vegas needs to get things going, as they have put together only 91 yards.
Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has 42 receiving yards, while running back Zamir White has 33 rushing yards.
--
START OF THE THIRD QUARTER:
PENALTY: Pass interference against Kansas City. Automatic first down for the Raiders.
PENALTY: Holding against the Chiefs on Las Vegas' punt.
PENALTY: Holding against Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs. Chiefs get a fresh set of downs.
TIMEOUT: Chiefs use their first timeout of the second half.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Raiders get a crucial stop on fourth down, ending a 13-yard drive.
SACK: Koonce with the four-yard sack.
SCORING UPDATE NO. 5: Carlson's 35-yard field goal is good. Raiders extend their lead to 20-7.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: Las Vegas holds a 20-7 lead.
START OF THE FOURTH QUARTER:
CALL OVERTURNED: Officials rule Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig's interception was not controlled.
PENALTY: Holding against the Chiefs.
TIMEOUT: Raiders use their first timeout of the second half.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Raiders stop the Chiefs in the red zone.
FINAL: Raiders win, 20-14.
The Silver and Black continue the season on New Year's Eve versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Don't miss it on Sunday, December 31, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.
Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.