Raiders End a Brutal Season by Beating the Chiefs When It Mattered Most
Let me talk about how the Raiders closed one of the toughest seasons in franchise history with a moment that, honestly, felt necessary. On paper, a 3–14 record doesn’t give you much to celebrate. But on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium, a gritty 14–12 win over the Chiefs changed the tone of everything, at least emotionally. It wasn’t about the standings anymore. It was about pride, belief, and ending the season with something to hold onto.
There’s history behind this feeling. Years ago, a season-ending win over Kansas City was once brushed off by Al Davis, who made it clear that simply finishing .500 wasn’t the standard. Fast forward to now, and Mark Davis was faced with a similar moment. After beating the Chiefs to snap a nearly two-year losing streak in the AFC West, he didn’t pretend the season was acceptable. But the win? That was appreciated. A win over Kansas City is always valued, no matter the record.
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And the way it happened made it even more meaningful. The Raiders’ defense showed real fight, racking up eight sacks despite playing without Maxx Crosby. Rookie defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway recorded two sacks, as did edge rushers Charles Snowden and Tyree Wilson. One of Wilson’s sacks resulted in a safety, which ended up being the difference in the game. That kind of defensive performance was unexpected, but it was also encouraging, especially with young players stepping up in big moments.
On offense, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty continued to be a bright spot in an otherwise dark season. He finished with 94 scrimmage yards on the night, pushing his season total to 1,321, the most ever by a rookie in Raiders history. He also led all NFL rookies in rushing yards, falling just short of 1,000. Jeanty later described the moment perfectly, saying it showed there was still light in the darkness and something real to build on.
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell also made his season debut in relief and did just enough to keep things steady. It wasn’t flashy, but it was competent, and that alone may give the next coaching staff something to think about heading into the offseason.
Then there was Daniel Carlson. After a difficult year, he delivered in the biggest moment, drilling a career-long 60-yard field goal to win the game. Four field goals on the night, capped by that kick, felt like redemption. As one teammate joked, it was the perfect tape to roll into free agency.
Yes, context matters. The Chiefs weren’t at full strength. And yes, 3–14 is still 3–14. But in the NFL, wins count, especially against rivals. Add in the No. 1 overall draft pick now waiting for the Raiders, and suddenly this ending feels like a reset point. The season was painful, no doubt. But it ended with belief, momentum, and just enough hope to carry forward.
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