The Chiefs vs Raiders game in Las Vegas on Sunday had a bit of everything: a lead that changed hands again and again, a career night that ended on a cart, a fourth down gamble that backfired and a closing burst from Kenneth Walker III that settled the AFC West’s biggest early season meeting. Kansas City won 30-27 at Allegiant Stadium, moved to 4-0 and gave the Raiders their first defeat of 2026.
Walker carried 22 times for a career high 177 yards and scored both of his touchdowns late in the fourth quarter, the second coming only seconds of game time after the first, according to ESPN’s box score and CBS Sports’ game report. Patrick Mahomes completed 15 of 30 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he still has never lost a game at Allegiant Stadium, a record that includes his Super Bowl LVIII win in the same building, as the Associated Press noted.
How the fourth quarter turned
The teams were level at 7-7 after the first quarter and the Raiders led 13-10 at half time. Neither side scored in the third quarter, and Las Vegas used Matt Gay’s right foot to edge ahead, with a field goal giving them a 19-17 lead in the fourth.
That lead lasted only a short while. Walker punched in a 2 yard run to put Kansas City back in front 23-19. On the kickoff that followed, Chiefs linebacker Jeffrey Bassa forced a fumble from returner Dareke Young, Kansas City recovered, and Walker went 22 yards on the next snap to make it 30-19. CBS Sports put the gap between his two touchdowns at 19 seconds of game time.
The Raiders did not fold. Kirk Cousins found Brock Bowers for a 20 yard touchdown and a two point conversion cut it to 30-27. Las Vegas got one more chance, starting at their own 1 yard line after a long punt, and moved the ball quickly before Cousins was intercepted by Xavier Nwankpa under pressure, according to the Raiders’ official game recap.
Chiefs vs Raiders: key numbers
| Stat | Chiefs | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| Score by quarter | 7, 3, 0, 20 (30) | 7, 6, 0, 14 (27) |
| Total yards | 414 | 437 |
| Passing | Mahomes 15 of 30, 225 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT | Cousins 31 of 52, 365 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Leading rusher | Walker 22 carries, 177 yds, 2 TD | Ashton Jeanty 15 carries, 58 yds |
| Leading receiver | Tyquan Thornton 5 catches, 111 yds, 2 TD | Brock Bowers 6 catches, 86 yds, 1 TD |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Record after Week 4 | 4-0 | 3-1 |
Figures from ESPN’s box score. The Raiders actually outgained Kansas City, and Cousins threw 52 passes, but the two turnovers, including the kickoff fumble that set up Walker’s second score, decided it.
Thornton’s best day ends on a cart
The cruel part of the night belonged to Tyquan Thornton. The receiver caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, career highs for yards and scores according to CBS Sports, and his 55 yard catch late in the fourth quarter set up the drive that flipped the game. He was hurt on that same play, injuring his left ankle, and was carted off.
Andy Reid did not sound hopeful afterwards. “It doesn’t look good,” the Chiefs coach said, as quoted by CBS Sports, adding that Thornton would fly home with the team for further evaluation. Kansas City were already thin at the position: Rashee Rice hurt his hamstring early in the game, was ruled doubtful at half time and did not return, per ESPN and CBS Sports.
The fourth down call Kubiak stands by
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak will face questions about a third quarter decision. After an illegal formation penalty, he passed on a field goal attempt and went for it on fourth and 2. Cousins threw incomplete for Ashton Jeanty and Las Vegas came away with nothing. In a game settled by three points, those were the missing points.
Kubiak was unrepentant. “I don’t regret it. I regret not getting it,” he said, in comments published by the Raiders. Cousins was more rueful about the final interception, calling it one of the plays he would be thinking about on the drive home.
A week earlier the Raiders had cashed in on four straight Saints turnovers in a 35-27 win over New Orleans. This time they lost the turnover battle two to one, and it cost them their unbeaten record.
What’s next for both teams
Kansas City have their bye in Week 5, so the Chiefs carry a 4-0 record and a growing injury list at wide receiver into a two week break. They return at Arrowhead against the Los Angeles Chargers at 4:25pm ET on Sunday, October 18.
The Raiders go back on the road. Las Vegas visit the New England Patriots at 1pm ET on Sunday, October 11. Earlier this season the Chiefs beat Miami 24-10 behind a nearly perfect Mahomes, and the two division rivals are now separated by one game in the AFC West.
