Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs had rough Christmas Day, losing at home to the Las Vegas Raiders, 20–14.
The ugly loss at Arrowhead drops the Chiefs to 9–6 on the season and takes them out of the running for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes greets Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby after Monday’s game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
After removing the pretenders label from the Miami Dolphins Sunday, I signed off from my writing duties for the night, because you don’t make a Mexican family wait to unwrap the tamales on Noche Buena. Don’t worry, Bailey Zappe and Chad Ryland. I caught the highlights of the New England Patriots’ win against the Denver Broncos.
But before shutting the laptop, my editor Mitch Goldich sent me a message suggesting I think of a Christmas theme for my takeaways story on Monday’s three NFL games. I tried to be creative, but all I could think about was the tamales.
Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce had a Christmas Day to remember.
Behind two defensive touchdowns and 145 rushing yards from running back Zamir White, Las Vegas defeated the rival Kansas City Chiefs 20–14 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Pierce wore his emotions on his sleeve after the win.
“Hell of a job by those guys, our staff, [defensive coordinator] Patrick Graham … it’s tough,” Pierce said to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson before pausing as tears filled his eyes.
Coach AP stood on business. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.
The Kansas City Chiefs are starting to understand the feeling of losing all too well.
Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes had on disappointed faces after Monday’s 20—17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and so did their significant others.
Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes were seen sharing a moment together as Kansas City suffered arguably its ugliest loss this season. The pop star, who proudly flaunted a Santa hat with a red embroidered No. 87 on it, consoled a shocked Brittany Mahomes and wrapped an arm around her while looking into the distance.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco left Monday’s game against the Raiders after suffering a concussion in the second half.
Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum has a partially torn quad and will likely need surgery but is seeking a second opinion.
Everybody has one of those days. The Kansas City Chiefs’ day just happened to be on Christmas against a fiercely hated division rival.
In Week 16’s festive matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs’ offense has been anything but merry.
Patrick Mahomes and his ragtag team of wideouts generated negative yardage in the first quarter and struggled to find their groove through the second half of the game. Not to mention the offense had two critical turnovers in the second quarter that led to a pair of Raiders’ defensive touchdowns.
Las Vegas, a double-digit underdog, quickly turned a second-quarter deficit into a double-digit lead and went on to shock Kansas City, which failed to clinch the AFC West title.
The Phoenix Suns have disappointed to start the NBA season, currently sitting at 14–14 and not even in a playoff spot. That is all despite Kevin Durant’s strong season, as the 35-year-old is averaging 30.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 24 games.
A big reason for the struggles is injuries, since Bradley Beal has only played in six games while Devin Booker has missed nine games himself, which is especially detrimental considering the Suns’ lack of depth.
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Week 16 of the NFL season is underway, and here is how it has changed the playoff picture
Merry Christmas NFL fans!
And Merry Christmas to you reading from the Detroit area.
The Detroit Lions locked down their first division title since 1993, thanks to their win over the Minnesota Vikings. Thanks to results around the rest of the conference, the Lions are now sitting second in the NFC.
Over in the AFC, the Miami Dolphins clinched a playoff spot of their own, with a field goal on the final play of the game to beat the Dallas Cowboys.
