The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13, but concerns are mounting as the playoffs approach. Defensive tackle Chris Jones ended a seven-game sack drought with two sacks during the Black Friday matchup.
Despite his individual success, Jones expressed frustration after the game, saying, “We’ve got to fix a lot of things. Flags, self-inflicted wounds. Offsides, PI, false starts.”
Penalties and inefficiency plagued the Chiefs. They committed seven penalties for 40 yards, including two offsides by Jones. Their third-down efficiency stood at just 43.8%, and they managed only one touchdown from five red-zone attempts (20%).
The Raiders controlled possession for over 31 minutes and scored two long touchdowns in the fourth quarter, putting Kansas City on edge. Head coach Andy Reid benched left tackle Wanya Morris after struggles in pass protection left quarterback Patrick Mahomes vulnerable.
#Chiefs DT Chris Jones: "We've got to fix a lot of things. Flags, self-inflicted wounds. Offsides, PI, false starts."
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) November 29, 2024
Morris, who received two penalties, acknowledged his mistakes: “It sucks to get your a– beat, but you can either lay down or get back up. I’m going to try something new.” Protecting Mahomes remains a top priority for the team moving forward.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie, flagged for pass interference in the third quarter, also stressed the need for better communication after a miscue late in the game. However, he praised the team’s overall efforts and expressed optimism.
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Despite their issues, the Chiefs secured a playoff spot as the first team to do so this season. Chris Jones summed up their mentality: “It’s better to win ugly than lose pretty. We’ll take an ugly win, build from it, and continue to get better.”
With five games remaining, the Chiefs are focused on correcting their mistakes and building momentum. As the regular season winds down, every improvement will be crucial to their playoff success.