The Kansas City Chiefs got up 26-0 on the Oakland Raiders and held on to win by a final score of 26-15. The Chiefs move to 7-6 on the season and maintain their grip on first place in the AFC West. The Chiefs key tiebreaker is that they have just one AFC West loss while the Chargers have two and the Raiders now have three. The Raiders aren’t eliminated from the playoffs but this game dropping them to 6-7 on the season really hurts.
The Chiefs pass rush returned
This is the top story coming out of this game. The pass rush was back (for most of the game). Derek Carr was uncomfortable throughout the day and made bad decisions. It’s obvious the pass rush was getting to him. Chris Jones had a monster game and repeatedly got pressure up the middle. Even Jarvis Jenkins got in on the action with a sack.
The Chiefs NEED this pass rush if they’re going to be successful the rest of the season. Few secondaries are good enough to stop quarterbacks without pressure.
Kareem Hunt goes over 100 and 1,000 yards
KC Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt passed 100 yards on the day for the first time since Week 5 passed 1,000 rushing yards on the season in this game. The first Chiefs rookie to do so since ... Joe Delaney.
It feels like it’s been months since we’ve seen this Kareem Hunt. He had holes, the Chiefs stuck with him and he was productive throughout the day. That was nice to see again.
Another Joe Delaney stat:
Rookie RB Kareem Hunt has gone over 100 yards for the game with 20 carries for 103 yards. It marks his 5th 100-yard game of the season, tying Joe Delaney (1981) for most 100-yard games in a season by a rookie.
— ChiefsCommunications (@ChiefsPR) December 10, 2017
Alex Smith stretched the field
Alex had a good day: 20/34 for 268 yards. He didn’t have any touchdown passes but he was close on a few that were called back by penalty or a drop.
Two plays stand out. The first one was a long pass to Albert Wilson down the sideline. Wilson was completely covered but Alex still threw it deep, which I loved. He was rewarded with a great 36-yard catch from Wilson. Watch this to see the concentration needed to make this catch. I’m always so impressed by those who can make the sideline catches.
#Chiefs Albert Wilson with a grea t catch pic.twitter.com/7yIE7z2LIp
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 10, 2017
The other one was a deep pass to Tyreek Hill. It was a similar situation where he was covered when Alex threw it but Tyreek stopped early to make a play on the ball and made the catch.
Chris Jones had a monster game
Jones had been quiet for a few weeks, hadn’t he? He wasn’t the dominant force we saw in his rookie year. Maybe he hasn’t been as good this year or maybe the opposing offenses are scheming around him. I’m not sure what it’s been but that wasn’t a problem today because he blew up. Big game for him which included:
- Third down sack
- Hurried the quarterback which resulted in an intercepted pass
- Third down tackle for loss
Derek Carr remains winless at Arrowhead
Derek Carr was so bad today against the Chiefs. I mean, really bad. The Chiefs defense absolutely played well but Carr also occasionally bailed them out.
De facto elimination game for the Raiders, and their $25 million man didn't show up for it.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 10, 2017
Chiefs 2017 schedule
- Chiefs 42 Patriots 27
- Eagles 20 Chiefs 27
- Chiefs 24 Chargers 10
- Redskins 20 Chiefs 29
- Chiefs 42 Texans 34
- Steelers 19 Chiefs 13
- Chiefs 30 Raiders 31
- Broncos 19 Chiefs 29
- Chiefs 17 Cowboys 28
- Bye
- Chiefs 9 Giants 12
- Bills 16 Chiefs 10
- Chiefs 31 Jets 38
- Raiders 15 Chiefs 26
- Chargers, 12/16, 7:25 pm, NFLN
- Dolphins, 12/24, 12 pm, CBS
- at Broncos, 12/31, 3:25 pm, CBS