Chiefs and Raiders Look to Close Out Disappointing Seasons in Las Vegas
The 2025 NFL season has not gone according to plan for either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Las Vegas Raiders. As the two AFC West rivals prepare to meet for their season finale at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, the stakes look vastly different than what fans and analysts predicted back in September.
Kansas City enters Week 18 with a 6-10 record, having lost five straight games. Their campaign was effectively derailed by a season-ending knee injury to Patrick Mahomes, a blow that sent them spiraling. On the other side, the Raiders sit at 2-14, currently holding a ten-game losing streak and looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft where they are in prime position to secure the number one overall pick.
Despite the lack of playoff implications, this game carries weight for the individuals involved. Jobs are on the line, young players are auditioning for roster spots and a legendary coaching record is within reach.
A Final Audition for Chris Oladokun
With Patrick Mahomes sidelined, the Chiefs have turned to third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun for his second consecutive start. Oladokun, a former practice squad regular, faces a significant opportunity to prove he belongs on an active NFL roster. His performance last week against the Denver Broncos showed mixed results. He threw for just 66 yards on 22 attempts in a 20-13 loss, though he did connect with rookie running back Brashard Smith for a touchdown.
Head coach Andy Reid has been clear that this game serves as an evaluation point for the young quarterback. Reid noted that Oladokun did a nice job stepping in under difficult circumstances, but the organization needs to see growth in his second start. Oladokun himself remains competitive, dismissing the idea that the game is meaningless. He emphasized that despite the Raiders’ record, their defense—led by coordinator Patrick Graham—remains a challenge.
The Chiefs’ offense will be operating with a skeleton crew. Beyond Mahomes, the team has placed multiple key starters on injured reserve. The offensive line is battered, with guard Trey Smith unlikely to play due to an ankle injury. This forces Oladokun to rely on depth pieces like tackles Esa Pole and Chu Godrick to keep the pocket clean.
Raiders Focusing on the Future
For Las Vegas, Sunday is the mercy kill for a brutal season. The Raiders have struggled mightily on offense, ranking last in the league in points per game (14.2) and total yards. The quarterback situation remains unstable. Geno Smith suffered a high-ankle sprain last week, which likely hands the reins to journeyman Kenny Pickett. Pickett struggled in his only other start this season, throwing for under 70 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Raiders are also missing their defensive heart and soul. Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby has been placed on injured reserve, a decision he reportedly objected to. Tight end Brock Bowers is also shut down for the year. This leaves the Raiders without their top playmaker on both sides of the ball.
However, there are bright spots for the future. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has been a revelation. Jeanty has already amassed over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. He is chasing franchise rookie records held by legends Josh Jacobs and Marcus Allen. With 90 scrimmage yards on Sunday, Jeanty would surpass Jacobs for the most by a rookie in Raiders history. Containing him will be the primary objective for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Andy Reid Chasing History in Vegas
While the players fight for their futures, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has a unique milestone in his sights. If Kansas City can pull off a victory, Reid will take sole possession of first place for the most wins by a head coach at Allegiant Stadium, including playoffs.
Currently, Reid is tied with Antonio Pierce and Josh McDaniels with six wins in the venue. It is a statistical quirk that highlights just how dominant Kansas City has been in this rivalry over the last few years, treating the Raiders’ home field as a home away from home. Securing this record would be a small morale victory in a season where those have been hard to come by.
Reid also addressed his future earlier this week, confirming his plans to return to coach the Chiefs in 2026. Despite the losing record, Reid feels the team came out of the Broncos game relatively healthy, which is a positive step toward the offseason.
Travis Kelce and the Retirement Question
Perhaps the biggest storyline looming over Allegiant Stadium is whether this will be the final NFL game for Travis Kelce. The future Hall of Fame tight end has endured a frustrating season alongside the rest of the offense. While he hasn’t confirmed his retirement, his comments following the Broncos loss were noncommittal. He stated he would make a decision with his family and the organization when the time comes.
If this is indeed the end for Kelce, he will want to go out on a high note. In their Week 7 matchup, Kelce managed his longest reception of the season against this Raiders defense. With the Raiders’ secondary struggling—Eric Stokes and Kyu Blu Kelly have had difficult seasons the Chiefs may look to force-feed Kelce the ball to give him a proper send-off, should he choose to hang up his cleats.
Evaluating the Matchup
On paper, this game features two struggling units. The Chiefs’ defense, despite the team’s record, remains a respectable unit. They rank 10th in total defense and 6th in points allowed. Cornerback Kristian Fulton is coming off his best game of the season, having shut down Denver’s Courtland Sutton last week. If Fulton can replicate that performance against the Raiders’ limited receiving corps, largely dependent on Tre Tucker and rookie Jack Bech, the Chiefs should have the advantage.
The Raiders’ offense has simply not shown the ability to sustain drives. They rank last in time of possession, often leaving their defense on the field for too long. With Pickett likely under center and limited weapons, it is hard to envision an explosive output from the home team.
The outcome likely hinges on which version of the Chiefs’ backups shows up. If Oladokun can find a rhythm with receivers like Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals, Kansas City should be able to move the ball against a Raiders defense missing its best pass rusher.
Final Thoughts
Week 18 games between teams with losing records are rarely pretty, but they are revealing. They reveal which players are still fighting and which coaching staffs can keep their locker rooms engaged when the postseason is out of reach.
The Raiders are currently 4.5-point underdogs at home. With the number one overall pick in sight, a loss might actually be the preferred outcome for the front office, securing the top asset for their rebuild. For the Chiefs, a win would salvage some pride, secure a record for their coach and perhaps send a legend into retirement with a smile.
Expect a low-scoring, grind-it-out affair in Las Vegas. The Chiefs’ defensive superiority and Andy Reid’s ability to maximize his available talent should give them the edge over a Raiders squad that seems ready for the offseason to begin.
