Leaving Las Vegas Winners – The Kansas City Chiefs are leaving Las Vegas winners, 35-to-31. I had not looked forward to a Chiefs game like last night’s since Super Bowl LIV in February, earlier this year. I’m sure much of my anticipation and eagerness had to do with the Chiefs Bye last week. That it was Raiders Week was also a factor, but the Sunday had a special significance to me because of the utter lack of respect shown by the Raiders and their coaches with their week 5 “Victory Lap” around Arrowhead Stadium after they defeated our Red and Gold, 40-to-32.
As per usual, the media made a bigger deal of it than what it was, as the game grew nearer. I absolutely bought into the hype and drank the Kool-Aid by the gallons. So inspired by the propaganda, I stirred the pot even more with my own piece, Lap It Up: Raiders Rivalry Revived on Saturday.
By kickoff, I was practically frothing at the mouth and screaming for Raiders blood. My Raider-Hate was palpable. My Raider-Hate was real. My Raider-Hate was oh so soothing!
View from the Cheap Seats
The game started out ugly and stayed that way for almost the entire four quarters. By the end of the first quarter, I had to Google to see if Bob Sutton had replaced Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator. The Las Vegas Raiders made the Chiefs defense look like a NCAA Division III squad last night.
It was absolutely odoriferous defensive performance by Spag’s unit last night. The Raiders racked up 275 passing yards, 89 rushing yards and our special teams play was abysmal, as well. Arguably, the only thing that saved face for special teams coach Dave Toub’s crew was kicker Harrison Butker’s five-for-five extra point attempts and punter Tommy Townsend’s two punts averaging 53.5 yards.
The Chiefs ten penalties for 89 yards were of no help.
Fortunately, it was the Chiefs offense that saved our proverbial bacon last night.
Stat of the Game
The Chiefs are 15-1 in a 16-game span for the first time in franchise history.
Highlight of the Game
Tweet of the Game
Quote of the Game
“I’ve got Patrick Mahomes and a minute and a half. I’m good.” – Andy Reid
ArrowheadOne Comment of the Game
Doesn’t Carr look possessed? – Jeff Morton
Game Song: Still The One
I think this song epitomizes the close personal relationship that Chiefs fans, young and old, feel with the Red and Gold.
… and the Game Ball Goes To …
Patrick Mahomes. He did not have his normal astronomical stats in this game. Our young Mr. Mahomes finished the game 34 of 45, 348 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His quarterback rating was 102.8% at games’ end. Yet all of Chiefs Kingdom felt secure when the ball was in Mahomes hand. With good reason, too. Starting from his own 25-yard line, with under two minutes left, Mahomes marched his Chiefs 75 yards in seven plays in 1 minute, 15 seconds for the go-ahead touchdown.
I almost opted to go with tight end Travis Kelce, who caught ten passes for 127 yards including the game-winning touchdown. However, it was the, always cool, infinitely collected, Mahomes who kept the Chiefs in the game for four quarters, despite five QB hits, countless rushes, and an uncharacteristic red zone interception.
How’d I Do?
I think I did great with my prediction for last night’s matchup… because… I didn’t make one!
Looking Ahead
Although we barely scraped by last night, we won. I’m smart enough, or superstitious enough to not upset the apple cart when the going is good. I respectfully decline to opine on our late game matchup at Tampa Bay against Grandpa Brady and the Buccaneers this coming Sunday.
Parting Shot
Everyone, please have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Even Raiders fans!
Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne
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