Chiefs

 

Chiefs Fall to Raiders, 20-14, on Christmas Day

The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Las Vegas Raiders, 20-14, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday afternoon for their sixth loss of the season.

The crux of the game took place midway through the second quarter, when the Raiders – trailing by four points – recovered a fumble deep in Chiefs' territory and recovered it for an 8-yard touchdown. Then, just one offensive snap later on Kansas City's ensuing possession, Raiders' cornerback Jack Jones picked off quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a 33-yard score.

The two plays – which took place in just seven seconds of game-action – swung the score from a four-point deficit to a 10-point advantage for Las Vegas in the blink of an eye, and it's a hole that the Chiefs never managed to overcome.

" They played a better game than we did today," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "We have to make sure that we learn from what took place, and move forward. That's what you do, and that's where we're at right now."

Mahomes completed 27-of-44 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown in the game, leading Kansas City on a 10-play, 74-yard scoring drive midway through the second quarter that briefly put the Chiefs in front. The series culminated with a 12-yard touchdown run by tailback Isiah Pacheco, who took the direct snap and ran around the edge for the score.

The Raiders' two defensive touchdowns followed soon after, however, as Las Vegas secured a lead that it never relinquished. The Raiders added a field goal late in the third quarter, and while the Chiefs drove into the red zone twice during the fourth quarter – finishing one of those possessions with a 7-yard connection between Mahomes and wide receiver Justin Watson – Kansas City never managed to pull back in front.

Watson's score certainly provided the Chiefs with a chance, as it pulled Kansas City within six points with just under three minutes remaining in the game, but Las Vegas broke off a pair of sizable runs on its ensuing drive that allowed the Raiders to run out the clock.

It was a tough ending to what had been an impressive day for the Chiefs' defense, which held Las Vegas to just 205 yards of offense, a 3-of-12 mark on third down and only 48 net passing yards. Unfortunately for Kansas City, it just wasn't enough in the end.

"They played better than us today, and they were the team that deserved to win," Mahomes said. "All you can do is move on to the next day, and the next game…I still believe that we can go do what we want to do, it's just [a matter of] correcting [our mistakes] as quickly as possible."

In terms of injuries, Coach Reid mentioned Isiah Pacheco (concussion protocol) and offensive guard Trey Smith (left calf) following the game.

The Chiefs will now try to turn the page quickly with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium this upcoming Sunday.

Taylor Swift spends Christmas cheering on Travis Kelce at his Chiefs-Raiders game

Taylor Swift spent Christmas Day cheering on her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Las Vegas Raiders.

She was seen before the game riding a golf cart alongside someone in a Santa costume. 

"Santa arrived with a very special guest," the NFL said in a social media post.

Swift watched the game from a suite while wearing a Santa hat with Kelce's number — 87 — on the trim. Kelce also  wore a Santa hat before the game. 

Taylor Swift is seen in a suite prior to a game between the Raiders and the Chiefs on December 25, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Several fans at Monday's game held up signs referencing Swift and Kelce. One fan wrote, "I'm dreaming of a Chiefs Christmas (Taylor's Version)," referring to Swift's mission to re-record her first six albums. Another fan held up a sign saying "I am here for Taylor Swift."

Brittany Mahomes and Sterling Skye Mahomes, wife and daughter of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Iowa basketball star  Caitlin Clark were also at the game. Clark, who won Collegiate Women's Athlete of the Year, traded jerseys with Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice.

The Raiders beat the Chiefs, 20-14.

Other celebrities, including Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Hugh Jackman, have attended Chiefs games this season. 

Kelce first  broke his silence about Swift in late September during an episode of his "New Heights" podcast. The Chiefs player said he's been on the "rollercoaster of life" since Swift's first appearance at one of his games. 

 Chiefs Player Arrivals from Week 16 | Chiefs vs. Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs players and coaches arrive at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium prior to the Week 16 football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 25, 2023.

Chiefs convert crucial fourth down with fake punt pass

The Kansas City Chiefs have resorted to trickery during their Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders and managed to pull off a slick fake punt pass late in the second quarter to convert a crucial fourth down.

Punter Tommy Townsend was responsible for the throw on the play and found veteran wide receiver Justin Watson near the sideline to pick up a much-needed first down.

Take a look at the outstanding fake here, and take note of Watson’s impressive sliding catch:

While the Chiefs won’t want to rely on unconventional methods to keep the ball matriculating downfield, plays like this are a sign that Kansas City can still pick up yards in key situations.

Facing a 10-point deficit before halftime, the Chiefs need to find a way to come up with a few scores before the game gets out of hand. Expect Patrick Mahomes to play with more restraint in the third and fourth quarters to keep Kansas City from relying on their punter to gain gritty yards.