3 Takeaways from Chiefs' Week 12 Win vs. Raiders

The Kansas City Chiefs were searching for a bounce-back game on Sunday against the rival Las Vegas Raiders. It took them some time to find it, but they eventually did.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs overcame an uncharacteristically slow start to climb out of an early hole and surge past the Raiders. The defense held Las Vegas to three second-half points, Mahomes finished 27-of-34 for 298 yards and two touchdowns, and Kansas City did what it had to do against a familiar foe.

It wasn't all perfect for the Chiefs, but they moved to 8-3 with the victory and remain very much alive in the battle for the AFC's lone playoff bye.

Here's what we learned during Kansas City's 31-17 win over the Raiders in Week 12.

Short Week, Tough Loss May Have Affected Kansas City

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Chiefs S Justin Reid tries to tackle Raiders RB Josh Jacobs

The Chiefs fell just short against the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday, losing 21-17 after a series of dropped passes ended a potential go-ahead drive at the end.

Losing an emotional Super Bowl rematch and coming into Las Vegas on a short week may have impacted Kansas City's start to Sunday's game. The Chiefs appeared to be out of sorts on both sides of the ball early.

Kansas City netted zero yards on its opening drive, while Las Vegas got into scoring position on its first three—though Daniel Carlson missed a 30-yard field-goal attempt, limiting the Raiders lead to 14 points.

The Chiefs battled back to tie it before halftime, but the Raiders still finished the first half with 245 yards and an average of 7.9 yards per play.

While Kansas City's offense has had its fair share of ups and downs this season, its defense has been one of the most consistent units in the NFL—it came into Sunday ranked fourth in yards allowed and third in points allowed. Seeing it get repeatedly gashed by the Raiders in the first half was stunning and was perhaps a sign that Kansas City came out of the tunnel sluggishly.

The Chiefs Find Some Second-Half Offense

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Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco

A slow start could have cost the Chiefs, but it didn't because Kansas City bucked a disappointing trend.

According to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star, the Chiefs entered last Monday's game as the league's lowest-scoring team in the second half. That was before Kansas City drew a blank in the second half for their third straight game.

Against the Raiders, though, the Chiefs offense found a spark midway through the second quarter, and they didn't stop rolling. Isiah Pacheco punched in a third-quarter touchdown, Rashee Rice caught a 39-yard scoring strike from Mahomes. Harrison Butker added a 32-yard field goal, and Kansas City pulled away.

To be fair, the Raiders haven't had much success against Mahomes and Co. in recent years, and while their defense has looked better under interim coach Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas still came in ranked 21st in total defense.

However, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy finally found a way to adapt in the second half. Hopefully, it's a recipe he can replicate moving forward because the 8-3 Chiefs are still very much alive for the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Rashee Rice Has Become a Force

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Chiefs WR Rashee Rice

Rice's touchdown catch-and-run was a thing of beauty. He hauled in the ball, outran one defender and then cut behind another to find the end zone. It was a highlight-reel play and the latest example that the rookie out of SMU is becoming a significant factor.

For much of the season, the big question mark hanging over the Chiefs offense has been its lack of playmakers behind Travis Kelce. That question mark only grew larger when Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped a late fourth-quarter pass that might have helped the Chiefs beat the Eagles last Monday.

Kelce did plenty against Las Vegas, finishing with six catches and 91 yards. However, Rice led the team with 107 yards and the score on eight receptions. It marked the fourth time in six games that Rice finished with at least four receptions and 56 receiving yards.

If Rice can build on his career outing, the Chiefs offense should be in business for the stretch run. He, Kelce and Pacheco could form a formidable trio of skill players, and Patrick Mahomes is still flipping the switch from under center.