Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats: Full Game Breakdown

The Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats from Week 18 on January 4, 2026, tell the story of a defensive slugfest decided by a single kick. The Raiders edged the Chiefs 14–12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, ending a long losing streak against their AFC West rival. This NFL rivalry delivered exactly what fans expected — physical play, tight execution, and a finish that wasn’t decided until the final whistle. Neither offense dominated, but key individual performances from Tyree Wilson, Ashton Jeanty, and Daniel Carlson made the difference from kickoff onward.

Game Overview and Final Score of Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats

This was not a high-scoring affair. Both teams leaned on defense and field goals throughout. The Chiefs took an early lead but could not hold it. The Raiders stayed disciplined, controlled the clock, and trusted their kicker when it mattered most.

This was a regular-season Week 18 division rivalry game with standings implications for both sides. For Las Vegas, the victory carried real momentum value — a confidence boost heading into the offseason and a strong roster evaluation moment for the coaching staff. For Kansas City, the loss exposed gaps in backup quarterback production and highlighted playoff implications they couldn’t fully address without Mahomes. This defensive battle showed how much special teams and discipline matter when offenses stall.

Quarter-by-Quarter Score Breakdown

First Quarter: Kansas City controlled the early tempo through short, safe passes. Their offense moved into scoring range and converted a field goal. The Raiders struggled under immediate defensive pressure, limiting their own offensive rhythm from the start.

Second Quarter: Ashton Jeanty began taking over the ground game, grinding out short gains into the red zone to keep drives alive. Blitz packages from both sides increased sack totals and put quarterbacks under constant pressure. Time of possession became a key factor as the half ended with neither team reaching the end zone for a touchdown.

Third Quarter: The scoreboard changed slowly inside scoring territory. Harrison Butker and Daniel Carlson each traded field goals. Play calling turned conservative, with deep passes replaced by safer runs and short throws. Defensive intensity remained high across both lines.

Fourth Quarter: Kansas City briefly retook the lead with another Butker field goal. Aidan O’Connell then managed a controlled final drive, moving the offense downfield against a relentless pass rush. With seconds remaining, Daniel Carlson nailed a 60-yard field goal as time expired — giving the Raiders the win.

Las Vegas Raiders Player Stats and Key Performances

Quarterback – Aidan O’Connell

O’Connell didn’t produce big numbers, but he protected the ball and made smart decisions under pocket pressure. He relied heavily on checkdowns to move the chains when deeper routes were taken away. In a game this tight, zero turnovers mattered more than yards. His clock management and game management in the final drive set up Carlson’s game-winning kick.

Rushing – Ashton Jeanty

Jeanty was the workhorse of the Raiders’ offense. His workload kept possession away from Kansas City and relieved pressure on O’Connell. He broke tackles, moved the chains consistently, and helped the Raiders control the second-half clock. His ability to gain hard yards made him the engine that kept every drive alive.

Receiving Leaders

Davante Adams led the receiving group with contested catches and crisp intermediate routes. He consistently created separation against tight coverage to give O’Connell a reliable target. The top receiver finished with 47 yards — modest numbers reflecting the overall passing game limitations. Chain-moving receptions on key third downs proved more valuable than raw yardage totals.

Defensive Standouts

Tyree Wilson was the defensive MVP. His two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a safety created chaos in the Chiefs’ backfield. He consistently won his matchup at the line of scrimmage, collapsing the pocket and disrupting the offense before plays could develop. Maxx Crosby added a sack and kept pass-rush pressure coming from both edges. Amik Robertson’s interception led directly to a scoring opportunity. The secondary executed well throughout, and the unit delivered key red zone stops when Kansas City threatened to pull ahead.

Kicking – Daniel Carlson

Carlson was the special teams hero of this game. Four field goals — including a 60-yarder as time expired — made him the undisputed standout performer. His personal best long kick required a clean snap, a steady hold, and nerves of steel. Leg strength and pinpoint accuracy under pressure defined his night. The Raiders’ victory begins and ends with his leg.

Kansas City Chiefs Player Stats and Key Performances

Quarterback Stats

Patrick Mahomes was absent, and both backups felt the difference. Combined passing yards totaled just 146 — well below Kansas City’s usual production. Five sacks on Buechele disrupted the rhythm throughout the game and forced too many checkdowns. Without a reliable starter, the offense never found consistent flow, and backup roles were tested under real divisional pressure.

Rushing – Brashard Smith

Smith made his first start and showed promise. He broke several tackles and gained tough yards up the middle. His 4.7 average per carry was the best efficiency figure in the ground game. The running game provided offensive stability when the passing attack stalled, but the Chiefs couldn’t convert his runs into touchdowns despite his solid individual performance.

Receiving Leaders, including Travis Kelce

Hollywood Brown was Kansas City’s most productive pass-catcher. Kelce, despite reaching a massive career milestone during this game, was held to just 12 yards — a sign of how well the Raiders’ secondary executed their coverage plan against him. Third-down conversions through intermediate routes stayed limited all game, as defenders disrupted timing and took away the windows Kansas City relied on. The tight end position never found the space it needed to create separation.

Defensive Contributions

The Chiefs’ defense kept Kansas City competitive. Chris Jones applied constant pressure as one of the key pass rushers up front, disrupting the pocket on multiple plays. The front seven as a unit created enough resistance to limit the Raiders’ offense in key moments. McDuffie broke up passes and limited the Raiders’ receivers from finding a rhythm. Nohl Williams stepped up with a sack and two pass breakups. The secondary contributed red zone stops that prevented Las Vegas from extending its lead further. Despite these efforts, the defense could not hold the lead when it mattered most.

Special Teams – Harrison Butker

Butker was flawless — yet the Chiefs still lost. Four field goals made showed his reliability, and his ability to convert inside the red zone when drives stalled kept Kansas City on the scoreboard. His late kick briefly gave the Chiefs the lead, but there were only seconds left on the clock for the defense to hold.

Complete Team Stats Comparison

The Chiefs outgained the Raiders in total and passing yards and converted third downs at a higher rate — yet they lost. The Raiders’ single turnover proved costly at a key moment, but Carlson’s kicking and Wilson’s defensive production outweighed Kansas City’s statistical edge. Field position battles throughout the game also played a quiet but significant role, where each team started their drives shaped how far they needed to go to score. Yardage totals tell one story, but red zone efficiency and offensive balance in high-pressure moments tell another.

Defensive Battle and Game-Changing Plays

Key Sacks and Quarterback Pressure

Eight total sacks defined this game’s rhythm. Both defensive lines attacked the pocket aggressively, collapsing protection on both sides. Tackles for loss, quarterback hits, and hurried throws limited explosive plays. Blitz packages added extra pressure on third-down situations, reducing conversion chances significantly. The front seven on both sides deserved credit for keeping this game low-scoring. Defensive linemen consistently disrupted timing and prevented offensive rhythm from developing throughout all four quarters.

Red Zone Stops and Defensive Efficiency

Inside the 20-yard line, both defenses tightened. Forced incompletions, disciplined secondary coverage, and well-timed pass breakups repeatedly turned potential touchdowns into three-point attempts. Red zone stops built through defensive communication between the secondary and linebackers proved essential. Scoring territory became a wall neither offense could consistently break through. That coverage discipline directly explains the low final score.

Turnovers and Momentum-Shifting Plays

Interceptions and forced fumbles stayed limited, but each one shifted momentum. The Raiders’ single turnover briefly gave the Chiefs life. Wilson’s two forced fumbles swung the game back in Las Vegas’s favor. Ball security decisions shaped possession patterns throughout every quarter. Play calling turned conservative in response to turnover risk, with coaches prioritizing field position over aggressive downfield attempts. Those conservative decisions kept the scoreboard tight and ultimately put the game in the kicker’s hands.

Special Teams Impact on the Final Result

Special teams decided this game outright. Six combined field goals — four from Carlson, four from Butker — replaced touchdowns as the primary scoring method. The kicking duel between Daniel Carlson and Harrison Butker became the defining storyline of the night. Carlson’s 60-yard game-winner required a perfect snap, a clean hold, and elite long-distance kicking under maximum pressure. Field goal accuracy from both kickers shaped every possession decision coaches made. Butker’s 47-yard effort earlier in the game showed his own reliability, but Carlson’s final attempt eclipsed everything else on the night.

Punt coverage and kick returns also played a quiet but important role in shaping field position throughout. Coverage units worked hard to limit explosive returns. In close games like this, every yard of field position matters, and Week 18 proved once again that special teams can be the full decider when offenses and defenses cancel each other out.

Top Performers From the Game

Best Raiders Players

• Daniel Carlson – 4/4 field goals, 60-yard game winner, special teams hero
• Tyree Wilson – 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, safety, defensive disruptor
• Ashton Jeanty – 26 carries, 87 yards, workhorse, clock control
• Maxx Crosby – 1 sack, consistent pass rush pressure
• Amik Robertson – interception, scoring drive setup
• Aidan O’Connell – 0 interceptions, steady game management
• Davante Adams – key receptions, chain-moving

Best Chiefs Players

• Harrison Butker – 4/4 field goals, kept Chiefs competitive throughout
• Hollywood Brown – 64 receiving yards, top pass-catcher
• Chris Jones – 1 sack, relentless pocket disruption
• Trent McDuffie – 6 tackles, 2 passes defended
• Nohl Williams – 1 sack, 2 pass breakups
• Travis Kelce – milestone receptions, consistent target in coverage

Rookie and Backup Standouts

Brashard Smith stepped into his first start and delivered solid ground game production. Nohl Williams made plays in coverage at a key moment in the fourth quarter. Both rookies and depth players showed the kind of performance that directly impacts future playing time and roster evaluation decisions. The coaching staff gained valuable data from watching backups operate under real divisional pressure in Week 18 — contributions that may shape offseason roster moves.

Key Milestones and Notable Records

Travis Kelce made history during this game, becoming the fastest tight end to reach 13,000 career receiving yards. He also surpassed Terrell Owens in career catches — achieving his 75th reception season in the process. These individual achievements added legacy significance to a game his team ultimately lost.

Daniel Carlson set a personal best with his 60-yard game-winning field goal. Several defensive players also reached season-high tackle marks and yardage benchmarks that carry real contract-impacting statistics value heading into free agency discussions. Every individual performance in a final-week game feeds directly into team and player evaluation — making these numbers more meaningful than a simple regular-season stat line suggests.

Raiders vs Chiefs Rivalry Context

The Raiders and Chiefs have competed in the AFC West for decades. Their history includes physical play, close finishes, and division positioning battles that shift standings every season. Fan support on both sides adds emotional weight to every matchup, and both teams carry pride into each meeting regardless of records.

Roster changes each season bring new faces, but the competitive balance between these franchises remains consistent. Familiarity means coaches study previous matchup results closely and build counter-adjustments into their game plans. Strategic adjustments happen in real time because both staff members understand each other’s tendencies deeply. That preparation level explains why these games stay close, stay physical, and come down to execution and discipline in the final minutes. Alternating outcomes across seasons keep the rivalry unpredictable — and that’s exactly what makes it one of the best in the NFL.

Conclusion

The Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats from Week 18 reveal a game decided by defense, field goal accuracy, and discipline — not offensive fireworks. The Raiders won because Wilson wrecked the backfield, Jeanty controlled possession, and Carlson delivered when the final whistle was one kick away. Coaching staff decisions at key moments — trusting the run game, managing the clock, and attempting a long field goal — proved correct. The Chiefs battled without Mahomes but couldn’t convert enough drives into touchdowns. Both teams leave this game with clear data for offseason player evaluation, and their rivalry heads into the next season as competitive as ever.

FAQs

What was the final score in the Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs match?

The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 14–12 on January 4, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in a Week 18 regular-season game.

Who kicked the game-winning field goal in the Raiders vs Chiefs match?

Daniel Carlson hit a 60-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining to give the Raiders their winning margin.

How many rushing yards did Ashton Jeanty record?

Ashton Jeanty rushed for 87 yards on 26 carries, leading the Raiders as their primary rushing leader throughout the game.

Did Travis Kelce reach any milestones in this game?

Yes. Kelce became the fastest tight end to reach 13,000 career receiving yards and surpassed Terrell Owens in career catches, completing his 75th reception season.

How many field goals did each kicker make?

Both Daniel Carlson and Harrison Butker made 4 of 4 field goal attempts in a memorable kicking duel. Carlson’s longest was 60 yards; Butker’s was 47 yards.

What are the key player stats in the Raiders vs Chiefs game?

Key stats include Aidan O’Connell’s 102 passing yards, Ashton Jeanty’s 87 rushing yards, Tyree Wilson’s 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, Carlson’s 4/4 kicking, and Travis Kelce’s 3 receptions for 12 yards.

Where can fans find official Raiders vs Chiefs player stats?

Official stats are available on NFL.com, ESPN, Pro Football Reference, and post-game reports from sports analytics platforms.