The Raiders Finally Have A Perfect Day After Beating The Chiefs 14-12
The Las Vegas Raiders #12 Aidan O’Connell (QB) completed 10 of his 22 passes for 102 yards, and drove his team downfield to help set up the winning field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Photo by Omer Khan/Photographer/TGSportstv1 January 4, 2026.
LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Raiders locked in the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 14-12. This game was tied 6-6 entering the 4th quarter. With 1:05 left on the game clock, the Chiefs took a 12-11 lead with a 41-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.
On the ensuing possession, Quarterback Aidan O’Connell drove the Raiders down the field. With 8 seconds on the clock, Raiders Kicker Daniel Carson converted a career-long 60-yard field goal for the win.
“For all the guys in the locker room, it’s been a tough season,” Carlson said. “There’s no way around that, but to end it like this, I think it was really cool to send everyone to the off season on a good note.”
With the first pick in the draft, the Raiders are expected to draft the Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza or another cornerstone player to start the rebuild. The direction of the Raiders franchise and the Head Coach will soon be determined.
Las Vegas Raiders #2 Ashton Jeanty (RB) carried the football twenty six times for 86 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense at Allegiant Stadium. Photo by Omer Khan/Photographer/ TGSportstv1 January 4, 2026.
The number 1 draft pick can also be traded down to acquire another experienced quarterback and invest money into the offensive and defensive line. It will be intriguing to see if they engage the Cleveland Browns for Shedeur Sanders and exchange their first-round picks.
Next year, the Raiders must feature their Pro-Bowl Tight End Brock Bowers and stud running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is the first rookie running back in the NFL to record 800-plus yards rushing, 5 rushing touchdowns, and 5 receiving touchdowns since Gayle Sayers in 1965.
Despite having one of the worst-rated offensive lines in the NFL, Jeanty finished the season with 1,321 yards and broke the Raiders ' rookie record for yards from the line of scrimmage. After the game, Raiders Coach Pete Carroll said, “I thought he had a great year. I think he maximized the opportunities that he had. He came through in so many ways. It shows you not just the toughness, but the endurance, too.”
This victory snapped a 10-game losing streak for the Raiders and an 11-game skid against AFC West opponents. In true Raider fashion, they took their fan base on an emotional rollercoaster, while leaving them intrigued for the immediate future.