The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs meet Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in a season finale neither team envisioned. The Raiders (2-14) hold the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, while the Chiefs (6-10) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
All eyes will be on Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a future Hall of Famer who may be playing his final game. Kelce has not announced retirement, but strong indications suggest he could walk away. A Taylor Swift appearance at the game would add to the speculation.
Both teams are without their starting quarterbacks. Chiefs starter Patrick Mahomes is out with a torn ACL, leaving Chris Oladokun to make his second career start. Oladokun went 13-for-22 for 66 yards and a touchdown in his first start last week.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith is sidelined with an ankle injury. Coach Pete Carroll said Kenny Pickett will start, with Aidan O’Connell also seeing his first action of the season.
Star tight end Brock Bowers has been shut down with a lingering knee injury. Michael Mayer, who had the best game of his career last week, should be the top target.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty needs 112 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. The Raiders offensive line has been inconsistent, struggling last week against a poor Giants defense after a solid showing against Houston two weeks ago.
The Chiefs have won three straight meetings and nine of the last 10, holding a 76-55-2 series lead. Kansas City is 19-3 in the past 22 meetings and has never lost at Allegiant Stadium, including Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.
In their last meeting on Oct. 19, 2025, the Raiders managed just 95 yards of offense and three first downs in a 31-0 loss. Geno Smith was 10-for-16 for 67 yards.
Prediction: Raiders 20, Chiefs 16.
