The NFL is expanding its scheduling horizons, and this Black Friday features a showdown between two heated AFC West rivals. The Las Vegas Raiders will journey east to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in a standalone afternoon matchup. Las Vegas enters this game following a 29-19 defeat at home against Denver, unable to cover the spread as a five-point underdog. Meanwhile, Kansas City narrowly defeated Carolina 30-27 on the road, also failing to cover as an 11-point favorite. Historically, the Chiefs have dominated this rivalry, leading the all-time regular-season series 72-54-2, including a 27-20 victory in their first encounter of the season on October 27.
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Curious about the outcome of this matchup? Dive into the Raiders vs. Chiefs prediction!
Raiders Aim for Redemption
The Las Vegas Raiders seek to break their seven-game losing streak after falling to the Denver Broncos at home. With a record of 2-9, they currently sit at the bottom of the AFC West and share the worst record in the conference with the Jaguars, who hold the tiebreaker. In their last game against Denver, the Raiders initially trailed 3-0 but managed to lead 13-9 at halftime. However, they were unable to maintain the momentum, trailing 16-13 after three quarters and failing to close the gap in the final stretch. Despite outgaining Denver in total offense 369-325 and holding a slight edge in first downs (21-19), two turnovers proved costly, allowing Denver to capitalize on ten points.
Las Vegas ranks 16th in passing offense, averaging 218 yards per game, but struggles significantly in rushing, sitting at 32nd with just 74.6 yards per contest. They are 26th in scoring offense with an average of 18.7 points, while their defense ranks 29th, permitting 28.5 points per game. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has thrown for 2,013 yards with nine touchdowns and ten interceptions this season before suffering a collarbone injury that ends his season. Aidan O’Connell, who has 455 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, hopes to return from a thumb injury. The ground game is led by Alexander Mattison, with 320 yards and three touchdowns on 97 carries. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers shines with 74 receptions for 744 yards and three touchdowns, while Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker also contribute significantly. Daniel Carlson has been reliable, hitting 16 of 16 extra points and 22 of 24 field goals, with a long of 54 yards this year.
The injury report for the Raiders remains a concern, especially with Minshew out for the season and O’Connell’s status uncertain.
Chiefs Looking to Build on Recent Success
Kansas City enters this matchup fresh off a victory against the Carolina Panthers, improving their record to 10-1 and solidifying their position at the top of the AFC West. They are also the current leaders in the AFC, outpacing the Buffalo Bills by one game. In their last game, the Chiefs led 10-3 after the first quarter and maintained a 20-9 halftime advantage. Despite allowing the Panthers to tie the game late, Kansas City’s offense executed a crucial drive, setting up Spencer Shrader’s game-winning field goal as time expired. Kansas City outperformed Carolina in total offense, 391-334, securing 27 first downs compared to Carolina’s 21. Both teams avoided turnovers, showcasing solid offensive control.
As the Chiefs approach this game, they rank 12th in the league in passing offense, averaging 226.5 yards per game. Their rushing attack stands at 18th in the NFL, producing 116.3 yards per game. Kansas City is currently 10th in scoring offense, with 24.5 points per game, while the defense ranks 9th, allowing 19.8 points. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 2,673 yards, collecting 18 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, and is also a threat on the ground with 227 rushing yards. Running back Kareem Hunt leads the rushing attack with 577 yards and five touchdowns, while Travis Kelce remains a key target with 68 receptions for 589 yards and two touchdowns. Special teams have been solid, with Harrison Butker and Spencer Shrader both performing well in their kicking duties.
Injury updates for the Chiefs indicate that Rashee Rice is out for the season, and Harrison Butker is expected to miss a few more weeks due to knee issues. The team has added Matthew Wright to the practice squad as a backup kicker.
Best Bets for Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The upcoming game promises an exciting clash between struggling and dominant teams. As fans gear up for this key AFC West rivalry, the focus will be on which team can capitalize on its strengths and mitigate its weaknesses.
