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Kansas City looks to keep it rolling against Las Vegas in a matchup of AFC West squads
After a slow start to the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs are starting to look a lot like the team that has won the previous three AFC titles.
On Sunday, the Chiefs rolled to a 21-0 halftime lead over the Raiders that included a surgical performance from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He threw three touchdown passes in the first half that included two scoring strikes to Rashee Rice, who made his season debut Sunday after a six-game suspension.
Rice’s two scores were sandwiched by Hollywood Brown’s short touchdown catch that capped off the Chiefs’ second drive. In all, each of the Chiefs’ three first-half drives ended on short touchdown passes from Mahomes, who went 18 of 24 for 206 passing yards.
While Kansas City’s offense was humming, Las Vegas’ offense was virtually non-existent in the first half. Oddly, the Raiders didn’t try to establish the run with rookie Ashton Jeanty, who had just 19 yards on four carries during the game’s first 30 minutes. Geno Smith went 6 of 8 through the air, but for just 31 yards. The Raiders offense gained just 51 yards while running just 14 plays in the first half.
Will the Chiefs continue to roll, or will the Raiders make things interesting?
Follow along in our live blog throughout the game to find out, as we’ll be providing updates, highlights and analysis in real time throughout the second half.
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Chiefs win, 31-0
Kansas City gets its first shutout since 2011 and the first ever one for Chiefs coach Andy Reid in the regular season. The Chiefs are now over .500 for the first time.
The Raiders are now 2-5 after suffering through one of the worst offensive performances of all-time. Las Vegas gained just 96 yards on 29 plays and did not convert a single time on third down.
Kenny Pickett fumbles first snap
On his first snap, Kenny Pickett fumbles the snap, which is picked up by Jerry Tillery deep in Chiefs territory.
Chiefs punt for the second time
K.C. didn’t punt until the fourth quarter, but they’ve just been trying to kill the clock here with the game very much in hand.
Chiefs lead 31-0 and 7:08 away from improving to 4-3 on the season.
Raiders punt, again
Geno Smith continues to play, and the Raiders continue to punt.
The Raiders started the drive with a 14-yard completion to Tre Tucker, but a hold by Alex Cappa on the next play short circuited the drive.
LV has just 84 yards of total offense that includes just 22 on the ground. As I stated earlier, the Raiders never tried to get Jeanty going.
Mahomes’ day is done
Gardner Minshew has entered the game for Mahomes at the start of the fourth quarter. He finishes the game with 286 yards and three touchdowns on 26 of 35 passing. Chiefs leading 31-0.
Raiders (kind of) get a stop
The Chiefs were “held” to a FG on their fifth drive, so it’s a 31-0 game with 2:36 left in the third quarter. As Romo said on the broadcast, the Raiders waited too long to go man to man while dialing up more pressure on Mahomes. It did contribute to the Raiders finally not allowing a TD in the red zone.
Curious to see if the Raiders don’t give Kenny Pickett a look here with the game out of reach.
Thornton makes an impact
Rookie Tyquan Thornton makes an impact late in the third quarter with a 39-yard catch as the Chiefs are in scoring position yet again.
Thornton entered the game with a league-high 20.9 YPC.
Chiefs make it 28-0
Chiefs are piling it on early int he second half. It’s now 28-0 following Isiah Pacheco’s short TD run on the Chiefs’ fourth drive of the game.
Xavier Worthy appears to be in discomfort, though, after that last drive. It appears that he aggravated his shoulder and may not return to the game given that and the current score.
Chiefs driving again as the start of the second half
K.C. is once again in scoring range as the third quarter begins. The Chiefs are playing excellent complementary football. They’ve run it 18 times for 76 yards while having a ton of third-and-short situations.
Halftime stats
Score: Chiefs 21, Raiders 0
First down: Chiefs, 21, Raiders 2
Total yards: 275-51
Third down: Raiders 5-6, Raiders 0-3
TOP: Chiefs 20:48
Mahomes: 18-24, 206 yards, 3 TD’s
Haomes: 28 yards on 4 carries
Kelce: 2 catches, 51 yards
Rice: 6 catches, 36 yards, TD TD’s
Geno Smith: 6-8, 31 yards
Jeanty: 4 carries, 19 yards
No. 2 for Rice as Chiefs take 21-0 lead
The Chiefs are now up 21-0 after scoring a TD for a third time in as many possessions. Mahomes is on fire, with 206 yards on 18 of 24 passing. Rice has two touchdowns in his first half of the season.
Crosby injury alert
Raiders Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby is currently being evaluated on the sideline for a possible injury. Chiefs are currently on the move and poised to add to their 14-0 lead.
Raiders punt for a third time
This punt is on Geno Smith. On third-and-5, Smith never committed to running before it was too late. Give credit to the Chiefs’ defense for providing stellar coverage downfield, but Smith needed to made a decision on that play.
The Raiders did get Jeanty more involved on that drive, but it’s probably too little too late unless their defense can force a punt here.
Mahomes strikes again, Cheifs extend lead to 14-0
Surgical is the best way to sum up Patrick Mahomes’ day so far. The Chiefs are now up 14-0 after Mahomes hits Hollywood Brown for an eight-yard strike with 9:17 left until halftime.
As Tony Romo pointed out in the broadcast, the Raiders ran a Cover 0 on that TD play, and they didn’t get home as Mahomes hit an open Brown for the score.
Mahomes is now 12 of 15 for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He’s already completed passes to six different teammates.
Chiefs lead 7-0 after one
Patrick Mahomes was the story of the first quarter. He went 9 of 10 passes for 113 yards that included a short TD pass to Rashee Rice, who caught four passes for 21 yards in the opening quarter.
Geno Smith went 6 of 8 passing, but for just 31 yards. Ashton Jeanty has been a non factor with one carry for 3 yards that occurred on the opening play.
Chiefs have the ball and are on the move with the second quarter about to start.
Raiders punt again
This game could get away from the Raiders pretty quickly if this trend continues. The Raiders punt again after once again while leaning on Geno Smith and not getting Jeanty involved. Jeanty didn’t touch the ball on that drive, while Smith threw five passes. He completed his last six passes on the drive, but for just eight yards.
Rice caps off KC’s first drive with a TD
Rashee Rice gives the Chiefs a 7-0 lead on a quick catch and score from Mahomes with 5:58 left in the opening quarter. The Chiefs made it a point to get Rice more involved on that drive. Mahomes threw for a whopping 88 yards on the drive.
The TD, though came at a cost as Kareem Hunt needed help getting off the field. It looks like he sustained a lower body injury on the TD play.
Raiders punt on opening drive
The Raiders have to punt after getting an early first down on the game’s first drive. Oddly, the Raiders went away from the running game after Jeanty gained three yards on the first play. The Raiders threw four straight passes after that, with a holding call contributing to the punt.
Rashee Rice back for KC
After a six game suspension, Rashee Rice will make his season debut today. Rice’s return will likely lead to a diminished role for rookie Tyquan Thornton, who currently leads the NFL with a 20.9 YPC average.
While the Chiefs’ lack firepower early in the season, they’re at full strength now with Rice and fellow wideouts Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Travis Kelce.
Jeanty in line for big game?
The Chiefs are just 26th in the NFL in average yards per carry allowed (4.7), so there’s certainly a chance that Jeanty can be a factor in this game, especially if the Raiders can keep it a one possession game.
Jeanty hasn’t ripped off many big runs, but he has shown an early ability to be a bell cow. He had 23 carries for 75 yards and a TD, for example, in last week’s win over the Titans.
Raiders inactives
Bad luck would be better than the luck the Raiders have had lately in terms of injuries, specifically on offense. This should lead to even more work today for rookie RB Ashton Jeanty.
Chiefs inactives
KC has a few notable players out today, specifically starting OT Josh Simmons. Simmons is slated to be replaced by Wanya Morris, a 2023 third-round pick who has 15 career starts under his belt.