The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Las Vegas Raiders, 20-14, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Here are some quick notes from the game.
1. The Chiefs' defense was tremendous on Monday.
Kansas City's defense was nothing short of outstanding for the majority of Monday's game, holding the Raiders to just six offensive points, 12 first downs, a 3-for-12 mark on third down and 205 total yards of offense. The Raiders punted six times and went "three-and-out" on three occasions. Additionally, Kansas City held Las Vegas to a pair of field goals on two red zone trips, including a drive that marched all the way to the Chiefs' 6-yard line.
Unfortunately, the Raiders managed to pick up a pair of first downs on their final drive that essentially sealed the outcome. Still, despite the results of the last series, the Chiefs' defense should be recognized for their performance on Monday.
2. Specifically, the Chiefs held Las Vegas to just 48 net passing yards.
The Chiefs' passing defense was of particular significance on Monday, holding the Raiders to the third-lowest net passing total (48 yards) of any team in a single game this season. Only the New York Giants in Week 8 (-9 yards) and the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9 (17 yards) posted lower totals than the Raiders did on Monday.
In fact, Kansas City didn't yield a completion for more than three quarters of game action. Raiders' quarterback Aidan O'Connell began the game by completing nine of his first 11 passes, but following the 2:02 mark of the first quarter, he didn't complete a single pass (on 10 attempts) the rest of the game. Notably, All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams was held to just one catch for four yards, marking his lowest yardage total since Week 8 of last season.
Again, the effort came in a loss, but the performance of the Chiefs' passing defense on Monday was special.
3. Rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice set another franchise record.
Rice hauled in a team-leading six passes for 57 yards on Monday, passing Dwanye Bowe (70 in 2007) for the most catches by a rookie in franchise history with 74. Rice is currently tied for the second-most catches of any rookie this season, trailing only the Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua (96).
The former second-round pick has 811 receiving yards on the season, and with two games left to go, Rice has a shot at surpassing the 1,000-yard receiving mark with a pair of strong performances.
4. The Raiders' two defensive touchdowns ended up being the difference in the game.
The crux of Monday's game took place in a span of seven seconds of game action late in the second quarter. The Raiders – who were trailing by four points at the time – returned a fumble for an 8-yard touchdown on the first play of the Chiefs' series, and then on the very next offensive snap, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was intercepted for a 33-yard score.
The two plays provided the Raiders – who have now scored four defensive touchdowns over their last two games – with a lead that they never relinquished.
5. The Chiefs still control their own destiny in the AFC West.
Monday's loss was assuredly a frustrating one for the Chiefs, but it's worth pointing out that they still control their own destiny in terms of securing an eighth-straight division title and locking up at least the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Kansas City needs just one victory in either of its next two games to win the division.
It's all to say that the Chiefs' goals are still in-reach despite Monday's result, and they'll aim to get back on track this upcoming Sunday with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year's Eve.
