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The Kansas City Chiefs moved to 4-0 Sunday thanks to a wild, 30-27 victory over the previously undefeated Las Vegas Raiders. This was a back-and-forth affair that took quite the turn in the fourth quarter. Two Kenneth Walker III touchdowns in less than 20 seconds kept the Chiefs in the win column, while the defense stopped Kirk Cousins from putting together what could have been a game-tying or game-winning drive at the end.
Walker continued his incredible start to the season, rushing 22 times for a career-high 177 yards and two touchdowns. The free-agent addition and reigning Super Bowl MVP entered this matchup as the league's leading rusher, and just continued to build his case for Offensive Player of the Year.
It wasn't all good news for the Chiefs. Wide receiver Rashee Rice left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury, while Tyquan Thornton suffered a gruesome ankle injury after making a 55-yard catch in the fourth quarter to set up the first of Walker's two touchdowns. Thornton had a career day, catching five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Now, it appears he could be lost for the season.
As for the Raiders, they kept pace with the high-powered Chiefs all day. Kirk Cousins completed 31 of 52 passes for 365 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while Brock Bowers fought off an illness to catch six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Vegas had an easy start to the season, defeating the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints, but they proved Sunday they can compete with anybody.
Let's take a look at when went down in Vegas on Sunday:
Kubiak's questionable third-quarter decision
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak told CBS Sports at halftime they were going to win this game, and he came out aggressive in the second half.
On their first possession of the third quarter, Raiders kicker Matt Gay, knocked through a 41-yard field goal to extend the Vegas lead to six points, but there was a flag on the field. An illegal formation penalty on the Chiefs gave the Raiders the option to keep the made field goal or try a fourth-and-2. Kubiak elected for the latter and gave his offense a chance to move the chains at the Chiefs' 18-yard line.
Instead, Cousins' pass attempt to Ashton Jeanty fell incomplete. The Raiders turned the ball over on downs and took three points off the board in what ended up being a three-point loss. It's true that games aren't won or lost early in the third quarter, but this was a decision Kubiak would likely want back.
A series of unfortunate events
Late in the fourth quarter, Walker scored his first touchdown of the game to put the Chiefs back out front. The two-point attempt was no good.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Raiders coughed up the ball, and the Chiefs recovered it!
On the very next play, Walker ran in his second touchdown from 22 yards out to extend Kansas City's lead to 11 points.
This was a 13-point swing in 19 seconds, and ultimately made the difference in the game. This marked the sixth-fastest time a player scored two rushing touchdowns in a row since 1991, according to CBS Sports research.
Chiefs WR injuries
The Chiefs' top receiver injured his hamstring on Kansas City's second drive of the game. Rice pulled up and went out of bounds, grabbing at the back of his leg. He was initially listed as questionable to return, but was downgraded to doubtful at halftime. He did not return. It's a big loss, as Rice is coming off back-to-back games where he reached 80 yards receiving.
Then, there's Thornton. His career day came to a tragic end when he injured what appeared to be his ankle following a 55-yard catch. He was carted off the field and will likely miss extensive time.
If Rice and Thornton are sidelined, that leaves just Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Cyrus Allen and Nikko Remigio at receiver for the Chiefs.
Fake punt!
It's pretty bold to call a fake punt on the first drive of the game from your own 30-yard line, but it worked out for Kansas City!
Raiders' upcoming schedule
The Raiders played the easiest strength of schedule through three weeks, as their first three opponents boasted a record of 1-8. However, they kept up with the Chiefs on Sunday, which is good because they have quite a stretch ahead of them.
Check out the Raiders' upcoming schedule. It features four straight All-Pro quarterbacks, including Mahomes, and they face all four teams that made the conference championship round last year, as well.
| Week | Opponent |
|---|---|
4 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L) |
5 | at New England Patriots |
6 | vs. Buffalo Bills |
7 | vs. Los Angeles Rams |
8 | at New York Jets |
9 | at San Francisco 49ers |
10 | vs. Seattle Seahawks |
11 | at Denver Broncos |
What about the Chiefs?
The Chiefs, on the other hand, will enjoy an early bye week, as they are off next week.
