Nov 27, 2023

Mahomes throws 2 TDs, Chiefs rally after slow start to beat the Raiders

Posted Nov 27, 2023 1:16 AM
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signals toward teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher).
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signals toward teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher).

St. Joseph Post

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns, and the Kansas City Chiefs ended their three-game second-half scoring drought to rally past the Las Vegas Raiders 31-17 on Sunday.

Kansas City (8-3) fell behind 14-0 in the second quarter, but tied it by halftime and pulled away after that. Isiah Pacheco rushed for two touchdowns, and Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 107 yards and a TD.

Josh Jacobs rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders (5-7), ending a 12-game streak in which the Chiefs did not allow a 100-yard rusher.

Las Vegas' Aidan O'Connell passed for 248 yards and a touchdown.

The Chiefs have held 11 consecutive opponents to 24 or fewer points - just three off the team record. They shut down the Raiders in the second half, holding them to 113 yards after Las Vegas picked up 245 in the first two quarters.

Kansas City extended its winning streak to six games over the Raiders, and the Chiefs have beaten their AFC West rival in 16 of the last 18 meetings.

More importantly for the Chiefs, they bounced back from a 21-17 loss last Monday night to Philadelphia - a Super Bowl rematch in which several receivers dropped passes.

Those receivers did a much better job against Las Vegas, especially after the Chiefs fell into an early 14-point hole.

The Raiders took the lead on an 18-yard pass from O'Connell to Jakobi Meyers and a 63-yard run by Jacobs in which he stiff-armed safety Mike Edwards. But Las Vegas also left points on the board when interim coach Antonio Pierce eschewed going for it on fourth-and-1 and Daniel Carlson missed a 30-yard field goal to the right.

Kansas City answered with short two touchdowns in the second quarter to tie the game and end a three-period scoreless stretch. Pacheco rushed for a 1-yard score and Mahomes connected with Justin Watson on a 3-yard touchdown just 25 seconds before halftime,

The Chiefs took a 21-14 lead to open the second half on another 1-yard Pacheco touchdown run.

They took full control early in the fourth when Mahomes converted a third-and-6 with a short pass to Rice, who maneuvered down the left sideline for a 39-yard touchdown and a 28-17 lead.

Kansas City heads to Green Bay next Sunday for a prime time showdown against the Packers. Kickoff is set for 7:20 central. The game will be on KFEQ (680, 95.3) and Q  Country 92.7 FM in St. Joseph.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs in front of Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker).
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs in front of Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker).