In the Raiders’ first matchup against the Chiefs this season, they blew a 14-0 lead. On Christmas Day in Kansas City, Las Vegas took control of the game in the first half and didn’t wilt, physically dominating the Chiefs on the way to a 20-14 win.
The Raiders defense stole the show and humbled the Chiefs offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Two defensive touchdowns within seven seconds of game time gave Las Vegas a 17-7 first-half lead it wouldn’t relinquish, despite a Raiders offense that didn’t complete a pass after the first quarter.
The win was a flamboyant feather in the cap for interim coach Antonio Pierce. As Pierce coaches for his job, the Raiders have rarely looked as imposing as they did on this nationally televised, holiday game.
Here are the winners and losers for the week after Las Vegas improved to 7-8 and reentered the playoff conversation in the AFC.
Winner: Raiders defense
The Raiders gained an early advantage over the Chiefs, but unlike their last meeting, they had to come from behind to earn it, and it was all due to stellar defense.
After the Raiders notched a field goal for a 3-0 first-quarter lead, the Chiefs answered with a second-quarter touchdown and a 7-3 advantage. The Kansas City drive featured impressive plays from tight end Travis Kelce and a trick play for a touchdown, two Chiefs staples.
Led by defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, the Raiders defense answered. Later in the first half, Las Vegas notched consecutive defensive touchdowns on a fumble recovery and a pick-6 interception.
But it wasn’t just two plays. All afternoon, Las Vegas pressured Mahomes, held up in the secondary, and stopped the run cold, save for Mahomes’ 53 rushing yards. It was a physically dominant, imposing effort that was a throwback to the Raiders’ best days as a franchise.
Winner: DE Malcolm Koonce
Defensive end Malcolm Koonce didn’t have a hand in either of the Raiders’ two defensive touchdowns, but he introduced himself to many NFL football fans who tuned in on Christmas thanks to his game-changing performance.
Koonce had three QB sacks, four tackles for a loss, and four quarterback hits to go with his six tackles (five solo). He was the first to sack Mahomes three-plus times in a game, according to the Associated Press. Koonce has seemingly leveled up in each of the last few weeks, and after his effort on Monday, it appears the third-year pro is a force to be reckoned with.
Winner: DE Maxx Crosby
Defensive end Maxx Crosby was an impact player as usual. But he’s on the winner list because he has a new running mate on the edge in Koonce.
Together, Crosby and Koonce can potentially turn the Raiders defense into a premier unit in the NFL. Pass rush in the NFL is king and they looked unstoppable in this huge victory. With Crosby’s track record and Koonce’s early-career accent, their level of play looks sustainable.
Winner: DT Bilal Nichols
After the Chiefs’ trick play touchdown, they got too cute on their next drive and called for more trickery. This time, it blew up in their face for a Raiders touchdown. Defensive tackle Bilal Nicols scooped up a fumble on an ill-fated handoff attempt to Mahomes and waltzed into the end zone for six points.
BIG MAN TUDDY!!!!#LVvsKC | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/JZ9ma56Pyc
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 25, 2023
Winner: CB Jack Jones
On the first play of the Chiefs’ next drive, Raiders cornerback Jack Jones intercepted Mahomes and jogged to the end zone for his second pick-6 in as many games. More importantly, Jones stared at Mahomes as he hit paydirt and gave Las Vegas a 17-7 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
JACK JONES. PICK 6!!!!!#LVvsKC | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/bbgBQLORn6
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 25, 2023
This was the Raiders’ fourth defensive touchdown in their last two games. It’s been 10 years since that happened in the NFL, according to CBS.
Winner: RB Zamir White
The Raiders pass game struggled mightily, but Las Vegas running back Zamir White had 145 yards on the ground, including a 43-yard run that sealed the Raiders victory after a fourth-quarter Kansas City touchdown had tightened the score.
Zamir White breaks free for 43 yards!
📺: #LVvsKC on CBS/NICK
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/2Mgsj0ajbL pic.twitter.com/oKfu0kNCrG— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
Winner: Coach Antonio Pierce
The Raiders scored 63 points against the Chargers last week and humbled another division rival on Christmas, reinvigorating their playoff chances in the process. After falling behind early against Kansas City, the Raiders roared back, and the fingerprints of coach Pierce were all over this win.
During his halftime interview with CBS, Pierce said he wanted his team to squeeze Kansas City by the throat, metaphorically speaking of course. Those are strong words. The Raiders backed it up with flair.
Unless the Raiders fall flat on their faces in the next two weeks. Pierce just earned himself the full-time head coaching gig in Las Vegas. The franchise has rarely showcased this much confidence and swagger, not to mention talent and tenacity, as it has over the last two weeks.
Loser: Raiders offense
The Raiders boast a quality assortment of skill players on offense, even without running back Josh Jacobs and tight end Michael Mayer, who were injured this week. Besides White, there wasn’t much to celebrate on Monday for this group, as they notched just 205 yards of offense.
Loser: QB Aidan O’Connell
In a testament to Pierce, Graham, and the Raiders defense, Las Vegas won even though QB Aidan O’Connell didn’t complete a pass after the first quarter.
Worst of all, O’Connell missed superstar WR Davante Adams on multiple occasions. Overall, he posted a dismal 12.1 QBR on 9-21 passing for 62 yards.
Loser: RB Josh Jacobs
Will the Raiders look to move on from Jacobs this offseason after two consecutive strong games from White? After the last two weeks, that only seems more likely, despite Jacobs’ elite talent.
Loser: Kansas City Chiefs
It goes without saying that the Chiefs are losers after this game. But they looked softer than ever in this loss, and the defeat put a serious dent in their playoff and Super Bowl aspirations.
Kansas City was eliminated from the No. 1 seed in the AFC and now has added pressure to simply win the AFC West. After scoring 30-plus points in their last eight matchups against the Raiders, the Chiefs were physically outmatched from the start in all phases of this contest, as a nationwide audience can attest.
One would think it’s impossible to improve after scoring 63 points the previous week, but that’s exactly what the Raiders did. Coach Pierce grew up a Raiders fan, and his team is playing with swagger and physicality that is worthy of the Raiders’ classic, unmistakable uniform. Will the Raiders continue to roll, likely earning Pierce a full-time job in the process? Time will tell, starting next week against the Colts in Indianapolis.
