KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Just in case you’ve been busy unwrapping presents, stuffing yourself with holiday treats and entertaining friends and family, here are our game-day live updates for the Raiders visiting the Chiefs on Christmas Day.
Halftime: Raiders 17, Chiefs 7
The Chiefs missed an opportunity to put points on the board before the end of the half, with punter Tommy Townsend and kicker Harrison Butker involved in key plays. First Townsend converted a pass on fake punt for 11 yards to Justin Watson to keep the drive alive. After the offense stalled at the Las Vegas 18-yard line, Butker missed a 36-yard field goal wide left, and the Chiefs ended the drive with no points.
Gone in Seven Seconds
Mistakes have been the Achilles’ heel of the Chiefs this season, and disaster struck twice on back-to-back offensive plays after their touchdown to break on top 7-3. First, the Chiefs lined up for another trick play in which Isiah Pacheco took the snap with Patrick Mahomes lined up at halfback with the option of taking a handoff. Wide receiver Richie James was also in motion behind them for a potential pitch. But Pacheco and Mahomes muffed the handoff, and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols picked up the loose ball for 8-yard touchdown return with 4:55 remaining in the first half. A high snap on the extra point try left the Raiders on top 9-7.
On the next offensive snap, cornerback Jack Jones intercepted a Mahomes pass on the sideline and went 33 yards for the score with 4:48 remaining. The Raiders converted a two-point conversion for 14 points in seven seconds, extending their lead to 17-7.
Tricky Chiefs Get in End Zone
The Chiefs finally broke out of their offensive slumber midway through the second quarter, embarking on 10-play, 74-yard drive culminating in a touchdown from Isiah Pacheco on the trickiest of plays from head coach Andy Reid and company.
Pacheco initially lined up split out, and the Chiefs didn’t have anyone in the backfield as Patrick Mahomes split out wide left. Pacheco went in motion and lined up in the Wildcat formation. After taking the snap, Pacheco ran left and faked a pitch to Mahomes, who was running a reverse toward the right side of the field. With some blocks downfield, Pacheco weaved through traffic untouched for a 12-yard touchdown run. The Chiefs take their first lead of the game, 7-3, with 7:34 left in the first half.
Raiders Break on Top
Both teams started the game sloppily on offense, especially the Chiefs who went three-and-out on their first two possessions while losing 13 yards and picking up a penalty for 5 yards more lost. The Raiders straightened themselves out first, however, on their second possession with a 15-play, 87-yard drive culminating in a 24-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson with 1:18 left in the first quarter. Raiders 3, Chiefs 0.
Opening Kickoff
The Chiefs captains against the Raiders were left guard Joe Thuney (offense), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (defense) and cornerback Joshua Williams (special teams). The Raiders won the toss and deferred, the Chiefs will open with the first possession.
Inactive List
Chiefs inactive list:
WR Kadarius Toney
LT Donovan Smith
DE Malik Herring
DE BJ Thompson
DT Matt Dickerson
DT Neil Farrell
CB Nic Jones
The Chief will have six receivers active Monday with Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Richie James, Justyn Ross and Montrell Washington. Ross is making his return to the field for the first time after missing seven games following his suspension for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. In the first seven games of the season, Ross caught three passes for 34 yards while averaging 11.6 snaps per game on offense.
Raiders inactive list:
RB Josh Jacobs
TE Michael Mayer
QB Brian Hoyer
OT Brandon Parker
C Hroniss Grasu
TE Jesper Horsted
DT Byron Young
The loss of Jacobs is a big blow for Las Vegas, especially after he reeled off 110 yards rushing including a 63-yard touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 12. But the Raiders will have edge rusher Maxx Crosby available Monday after he practiced only once this week with a knee injury.
Roster Moves
Sunday the Chiefs placed Jerick McKinnon (groin) on injured reserve and signed running back La’Mical Perine from the practice squad to take this roster spot. The club also used the standard elevation in adding wide receiver Montrell Washington and defensive tackle Mike Pennel to the game-day roster against the Raiders.
McKinnon’s groin issue is expected to keep him out longer than the club previously anticipated. Going to injured reserve now means McKinnon will miss at least the team’s final three regular-season games along with the club’s first playoff contest.
Perine has played in two games for the Chiefs this season and has a single carry for 1 yard. He’s played five offensive snaps and 14 on special teams. Since entering the league as a fourth-round pick for the New York Jets in 2020, Perine has 264 yards rushing with two scores, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He’s also caught 11 passes for 63 yards.
The team had elevated Perine three times from the practice squad this season, which meant the only one it could promote him to the game-day roster again was to sign him to the 53-player roster.
