Chiefs prove they’re still top dogs in AFC with late win over Raiders

Until proven otherwise, Kansas City still the conference front-runner.

 Patrick Mahomes needed 75 seconds to regain the lead late in Las Vegas. Pinpoint accurate and calm in the pocket, seven-play ultimately was the difference in a Kansas City Chiefs 35-31 victory to remain a true contender in the AFC.

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Mahomes certainly bolstered his status as MVP leader on his way to taking Kansas City to a 9-1 start. Going 34-of-35 for 348 yards and two touchdowns, Mahomes won at near every level of the field, torching the Raiders secondary on the way to victory.

A late second-quarter interception by Mahomes actually breathed new life for Las Vegas. Derek Carr continued to make the most of a breakout year, throwing for a touchdown to Darren Waller in the third quarter. Tack on the budding connection with Nelson Agholor and he’d finish the night with 275 yards and three scores.

Kansas City’s run game was the storyline on offense when it came to the red zone. In what felt like the first time “Hel’s Bells” was in sync, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell gave the league a glimpse of how special the pair could be. The LSU rookie bullied his way past three Raiders defenders in the third quarter for his second touchdown of the night and a Kansas City lead.

Bell, who signed with the team last month, finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter for the first time in Arrowhead red. Off the left side pitch, the former Jets zoomed into the end zone for a six-yard touchdown that gave Kansas City a lead. The duo combined for near 100 yards and three total scores.

Only to go up from here in Kansas City

The Chiefs nabbed 36 first downs and over 450 yards of offense on the road against Las Vegas. Looking for revenge on the “victory lap” Mahomes and the offense surged to the finish line with little concerns overall. And while the defense allowed Las Vegas to have one of the more wild finishes on Sunday Night Football, Mahomes bailed them out the doghouse late.

Kansas City is finding its stride. They’ll need overall better play from the secondary in a showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but games against Denver and Miami should be enough to seal the division. And with so many weapons for Mahomes to work with, anyone can be the hero on the way to victory.

Kansas City gambled with a season sweep in Sin City. In the end, they hit the jackpot late, proving how dangerous they are even when down to their final hand.