Chiefs Beat Raiders 30-27 as Mahomes and Walker Power Kansas City to 4-0/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes and Kenneth Walker III rushed for 177 yards and two scores as Kansas City defeated Las Vegas 30-27. The Chiefs improved to 4-0 after a back-and-forth fourth quarter, overcoming a 365-yard passing performance from Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins. Kansas City secured the victory with a late interception but lost receivers Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice to injuries during the game.
Quick Look
- Final score: The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 30-27 to remain unbeaten at 4-0.
- Mahomes’ performance: Kansas City’s quarterback passed for 225 yards and two touchdowns.
- Walker’s big day: Kenneth Walker III gained 177 rushing yards and scored twice.
- Thornton’s impact: Tyquan Thornton caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a left ankle injury.
- Raiders’ offense: Kirk Cousins threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns, while Brock Bowers had six catches for 86 yards and a score.
- Rushing struggles: Las Vegas managed 72 rushing yards, averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
- Next games: Kansas City has a bye before hosting the Chargers on Oct. 18; Las Vegas visits New England next Sunday.
Deep Look
Mahomes and Walker Lead Chiefs to Fourth Straight Victory
LAS VEGAS — Patrick Mahomes maintained his perfect record against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, helping the Kansas City Chiefs survive a tightly contested game for a 30-27 victory Sunday.
Mahomes passed for 225 yards and two touchdowns, while Kenneth Walker III delivered 177 rushing yards and two scores to lift Kansas City to 4-0.
Walker’s 2-yard touchdown run with 3:21 remaining gave the Chiefs a 23-19 lead they never surrendered. Tyquan Thornton set up the score with a 55-yard reception on the preceding play.
Thornton injured his left ankle on that catch and was carted off. He finished with five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
“I think you have to stay with it,” Mahomes said, describing the back-and-forth game. “I keep saying it, but it’s not always going to be pretty. That’s a good football team, a good defense. It’s not going to always be light it up and go out there and scoring 50 points or whatever. It’s if you stay with the process, it’s going to come.”
Cousins Produces Big Passing Numbers as Raiders’ Running Game Struggles
Kirk Cousins kept Las Vegas competitive with 365 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The defeat ended his seven-game winning streak, which included his final four games with Atlanta last season.
Brock Bowers played despite an illness and caught six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. However, the Raiders struggled to establish their ground attack, finishing with 72 rushing yards at 2.8 yards per carry.
“We’ve got to find that answer,” Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said of the run game struggles. “That will be a big factor in us being a better football team.”
Las Vegas nevertheless pushed its AFC West rival throughout the game. During a halftime interview on CBS, Kubiak expressed confidence that his team would finish the job.
“We’re winning,” Kubiak said on the CBS broadcast. “We’re going to win the game.”
Walker’s 76-Yard Run Sets Up Kansas City’s First Lead
The Raiders carried a 13-10 advantage into the fourth quarter, but Walker’s explosive run late in the third helped shift momentum.
Walker broke free for 76 yards before cornerback Taron Johnson caught him from behind at the Las Vegas 8-yard line.
NFL Next Gen Stats recorded Walker’s speed at 21.21 mph.
“(Johnson) probably was going 23,” Walker said. “I thought I was out of there until I started hearing breathing.”
Two plays later, Mahomes connected with Thornton for an 8-yard touchdown, giving Kansas City its first lead.
The score also marked the first points the Raiders’ defense had allowed in the fourth quarter this season.
Late Touchdowns and Kickoff Fumble Swing the Game
Las Vegas responded with Matt Gay field goals from 44 and 48 yards, moving ahead 19-17 with 4:53 left.
Mahomes then directed the touchdown drive capped by Walker’s 2-yard run.
A Raiders fumble on the ensuing kickoff provided another opportunity for Kansas City, and Walker scored his second touchdown to extend the advantage.
Mahomes has now won all six of his starts against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. He also won the Super Bowl there following the 2023 season.
“I trust him to do that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I don’t expect anything, but I do trust that he’s going to do the right thing when the ball’s in his hand.”
Reid Sets Allegiant Stadium Coaching Wins Mark
Sunday’s result gave Reid seven career coaching victories at Allegiant Stadium, the most by any coach at the venue.
He moved ahead of former Raiders coaches Josh McDaniels and Antonio Pierce, breaking a tie at six wins.
Reid is 7-1 at the stadium, which opened in 2020.
With numerous red-clad Kansas City supporters in attendance, the Chiefs held on through a late Raiders rally.
Cousins found Bowers for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:46 remaining. Las Vegas regained possession and advanced to midfield, but an interception ended its comeback bid.
Chiefs Bench Kingsley Suamataia for Disciplinary Reasons
Reid said left guard Kingsley Suamataia did not start because of a disciplinary matter. Mike Caliendo replaced him in the starting lineup.
“That’s between Kingsley and I,” Reid said. “We’ll figure it out, and down the road, we’ll be better as a team for it and Kingsley will be better for it.”
Receiver Injuries Add Concern for Kansas City
Along with Thornton’s left ankle injury, Kansas City lost receiver Rashee Rice during the first quarter.
Rice pulled up limping with a hamstring injury and did not return.
Chiefs Enter Bye Week as Raiders Prepare for New England
Kansas City is off next weekend before hosting the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 18.
The Raiders travel to New England next Sunday, marking their third road game in four weeks.
More on Sports