CHRISTMAS DAY WEEK 16 GAME 1: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

BY ADAM GREENE

It’s Christmas time. There’s no need to be afraid. Because while you’re still riding that post Christmas morning mimosa buzz you can enjoy some solid NFL action as the Las Vegas Raiders travel to the Show Me State to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

We’re getting a lot of old school AFL rivalries in featured games this week. This will be the 130^th all time meeting between the Raiders and Chiefs, with Kansas City holding a 73-54-2 advantage in the series. The Chiefs have won five straight over Vegas and 10 of their last 11 meetings. In fact, the Raiders have won exactly three games in this series since 2013.

They last played on Nov. 26 with KC winning 31-17. Patrick Mahomes was 27 of 34 passing for 298 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. Isaih Pacheco rushed 15 times for 55 yards. Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 107 yards and a TD. Travis Kelce had six receptions for 91 yards.

In the loss, Aiden O’Connell was 23 of 33 passing for 248 yards, a TD and no picks. Josh Jacobs rushed 20 times for 110 yards. Jakobi Meyers caught six passes for 79 yards and a score. Davante Adams hauled in five receptions for 73 yards.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-10, O/U: 41)

Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

Broadcast: CBS

Kickoff: Dec. 25, 1 p.m.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-8)

The Raiders bounced back from a three-game losing streak and one of the worst offensive performances of the decade in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 last week and ending Brandon Staley’s head coaching tenure. Aidan O’Connell was 20 of 34 passing for 248 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. Zamir White rushed 17 times for 69 yards and a score. Davante Adams caught eight passes for 101 yards and a TD. Trey Tucker had three grabs for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Mayer caught four balls for 39 yards and a score. The defense sacked Easton Stick three times, forced four fumbles and picked Stick off once, returning it for a touchdown.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-5)

Kansas City halted a two-game skid of their own, beating the New England Patriots 27-17 last Sunday. Patrick Mahomes was 27 of 37 passing for 305 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the win. Clyde Edwards-Helaire celebrated his exit from witness protection by rushing 13 times for 37 yards and hauling in four passes for 64 yards and a TD. Rachee Rice caught nine passes for 91 yards and a score. The defense sacked Bailey Zappe four times and picked him off once.

THE PICK

There’s rumblings that Las Vegas might be thinking about keeping interim head coach Antonio Pierce as their permanent head coach. This game should wrap up that talk for good. Chiefs 34, Raiders 19

Last week

Straight up: 10-6

Against the spread: 8-8

Season

Straight up: 112-70

Against the spread: 100-82

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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