Chiefs Hold Off Raiders 30-27, Improve to 4-0 in Rivalry's First 3-0 Matchup

Kansas City survived a late Las Vegas rally in the rivals' first meeting of unbeaten teams, a Sunday that also featured CeeDee Lamb, Drake Maye and a long-awaited Jets interception.

Kansas City defeated Las Vegas 30-27 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, moving to 4-0 while handing the Raiders their first loss. Never before in this rivalry, which began with the American Football League's 1960 founding — the Chiefs played then as the Dallas Texans, the Raiders called Oakland home — had both clubs entered a game with records of 3-0 or better.

Las Vegas arrived unbeaten just one season after winning only three games, revitalized under head coach Klint Kubiak, who directed Seattle's offense in 2025. The Raiders, chasing their first 4-0 start since 2002 — a season that ended in a Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay, then coached by former Raiders boss Jon Gruden — led 13-10 at halftime, and Kubiak told CBS's Tracy Wolfson his side would finish the job.

Kenneth Walker swung it instead, running for two fourth-quarter touchdowns that made it 30-19 Kansas City. Kirk Cousins replied with a 20-yard scoring pass to tight end Brock Bowers with 1:46 left, then found receiver Cody White for two points to close within 30-27. After Las Vegas missed an onside kick and the Chiefs went nowhere on their next possession, punter Matt Araiza pinned the Raiders at their 1, and safety Xavier Nwankpa intercepted Cousins with 10 seconds showing.

The outcome continues a swift revival for a franchise that went 6-11 in 2025. Patrick Mahomes is no longer overwhelming opponents the way he once did, but he has taken care of the football this year — seven touchdown passes against two interceptions — and remains dependable on third down.

Kansas City did leave Sunday with concerns at receiver: Rashee Rice exited with a hamstring problem, and Tyquan Thornton was taken off on a cart after dislocating an ankle. The ground game has benefited from Walker, who joined the Chiefs from Seattle and has rushed for 173, 117, 70 and 177 yards in his first four games with the club.

Las Vegas, meanwhile, is earning recognition it has not had in years. Kubiak has imported what worked for Seattle's offense last season, defensive coordinator Rob Leonard is coaxing strong performances from mostly unheralded players alongside edge rusher Maxx Crosby, and the 38-year-old Cousins is producing form that ranks among the best of his career. When the teams meet again in Week 18, more than AFC West pride could be at stake.

CeeDee Lamb turned in perhaps the finest single-game showing of his career in Dallas's 34-30 win over Houston, hauling in 17 of 21 targets for 189 yards and a deciding touchdown with 40 seconds remaining. The target count matches the fifth-most in a game since records began, and the reception count matches the fourth-most all-time. His numbers might have been larger had Dak Prescott found him running free on one snap, to Lamb's evident frustration. Javonte Williams added three touchdowns on the ground, and the 0-4 Texans now confront a fact: only the 1992 San Diego Chargers have made the playoffs from such a start.

Drake Maye, the 2025 MVP runner-up whose three-week decline had become a concern, rediscovered his level in a 29-26 win over Buffalo. He connected on 22 of 37 throws for 269 yards and three scores against one interception, a 97.7 passer rating. The 23-yard touchdown to Efton Chism with 1:50 to go decided it; Chism, an undrafted second-year player from Eastern Washington, had managed two catches on three targets for minus-1 yard this season before that grab.

The Jets ended a drought that had spanned all of last season, the first three weeks of 2026, 637 days, 636 opposing pass attempts and 20 games without an interception. Defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat appeared to end it in the first quarter against Chicago, but his pick of Tyson Bagent was nullified by an illegal-use-of-hands penalty on cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. Minkah Fitzpatrick later intercepted a deep Bagent throw intended for Colston Loveland. Aaron Glenn's team still fell 23-12, with the Bears amassing 34 first downs to New York's 32 offensive snaps.