Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10): 19-17
Is it because of the digestion of the Thanksgiving turkey or a mind focused on the Black Friday sales, but the Chiefs had all the difficulty in the world getting into their game. Particularly in attack. Far from the champagne football of previous seasons, they only owe their salvation to a confused and muddled end to the match by the Raiders who nevertheless had the victory ball.
The double champions are returning to their winning habits after last weekend's defeat in Buffalo and even offered themselves the first ticket to the playoffs. The discreet return of Isiah Pacheco (7 races, 44 yards), and a generally non-existent running game did not help. But Patrick Mahomes (26/46, 306 yards, 1 TD), regularly put under pressure, poured water. It was the defense at the end of the match that saved the Chiefs from a very big and unpleasant surprise at home.
Mahomes in slow motion
For a prime time game in Europe on a Friday, the NFL could have hoped for better publicity. In a very soporific start to the match, we had to wait almost a half and the 4th possession to finally see the Chiefs attack and its quarterback put things into motion. Justin Watson is found in the end zone.
A temporary improvement. After the break, Kansas City stumbled again on defense in the truth zone. Mahomes, despite a concern for precision at the start of the match, accumulates yards and moves the chains. But the locals are satisfied with two field goals. Again.
Vegas towards the exploit
An inefficiency which is starting to become problematic. Because conversely, the Raiders are uninhibited and playing hard. In quick succession, Aidan O'Connel puts his targets into orbit. First on a pass to the inevitable Bowers for a 33-yard touchdown, then on a magnificent ogive for a 58-yard touchdown from Tre Tucker. The Raiders are in the lead going into the final quarter.
Buoyed by a heroic defense, Vegas believes in it. Despite a new field goal from the opponent, it is they who are in the ideal position to achieve victory at the end of the match. In an ideal position to attempt the winning field goal, the Raiders fumbled the snap and lost possession of the ball. Finally leaving the victory which held out their arms to their rivals.
