The AFC West rivals conclude a disappointing 2025 NFL regular season in Week 18, with both teams eliminated from playoff contention and focusing on ending the year positively amid rebuilds and evaluations. The Chiefs, hampered by injuries including to star QB Patrick Mahomes, look to leverage their slight edge in talent against a Raiders squad that’s won just twice all year, plagued by offensive inconsistencies and defensive lapses. This matchup at Allegiant Stadium could highlight young players and backups, in a rivalry where Kansas City has historically dominated but recent games have been competitive.
Venue Location
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. This domed venue, opened in 2020, seats approximately 65,000 fans and features a retractable grass field, state-of-the-art amenities, and a translucent roof that typically remains closed for games.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET (1:25 p.m. PT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on CBS: Chris Lewis, Kyle Long, Tiffany Blackmon (field reporter)
Local affiliates and streaming via Paramount+ or NFL+ for subscribers.
Injury Report
Both teams are limping into the finale with significant ailments, potentially leading to increased snaps for backups in a meaningless game for standings.
Kansas City Chiefs Injuries:
QB Patrick Mahomes: Out (ACL; on IR, underwent surgery).
G Trey Smith: DNP (ankle).
RB Isiah Pacheco: DNP (rest).
OL Jaylon Moore: DNP (knee).
TE Jake Briningstool: DNP (hamstring).
CB Kristian Fulton: DNP (knee/wrist).
DE George Karlaftis: DNP (rest).
RB Kareem Hunt: Listed (status TBD; part of 10 players on report).
QB Oladokun: Expected to start with Mahomes out.
The Chiefs have 10 players on the report, thinning the offensive line and backfield.
Las Vegas Raiders Injuries:
DT Adam Butler: DNP (biceps).
RB Raheem Mostert: DNP (knee/ankle).
G Dylan Parham: DNP (illness).
QB Geno Smith: DNP (ankle).
WR Jack Bech: DNP (back).
TE Brock Bowers: Not listed but referenced as missing (status TBD).
The Raiders have multiple DNPs, impacting the trenches and quarterback position.
Player Matchups
Injuries force adjustments, with backups like Oladokun for Chiefs and potentially a hobbled Smith for Raiders, tilting toward defensive battles.
Chiefs QB Oladokun vs. Raiders Secondary: Oladokun steps in for Mahomes, testing a Raiders pass D allowing 225 YPG; Butler’s biceps injury could ease pressure.
Raiders QB Geno Smith vs. Chiefs Pass Rush: Smith (ankle) faces Karlaftis (rest) and a Chiefs front with 45 sacks; Parham’s illness weakens protection.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco vs. Raiders Run Defense: Pacheco (rest) exploits Las Vegas’ 27th-ranked run D if active, but Hunt may share load.
Raiders RB Raheem Mostert vs. Chiefs Front: Mostert (knee/ankle) tests Kansas City’s solid run stoppers, thinned by potential rests.
Recent Team Forms
The Chiefs are 2-3 in their last 5 games, with losses highlighting defensive vulnerabilities but wins showing resilience; they average 20.5 PPG lately amid QB instability.
The Raiders are 0-5 in their last 5, including heavy defeats like 19-17 to Chiefs earlier; offensive struggles yield 15.8 PPG, with defense allowing 28+ in losses.
Series History
The Chiefs lead the all-time series 76-55-2, including 3 postseason games, dating to 1960. Kansas City has won 9 of the last 10 regular-season meetings, including a 31-0 rout in Week 7 of 2025. The Raiders’ last victory was in 2024.
Betting Trends
Chiefs: 7-9 ATS overall; 3-2 ATS in last 5; under 10-1 in last 11 games.
Raiders: 6-10 ATS; 1-4 ATS in last 5; over 4-1 in last 5.
Head-to-Head: Chiefs 4-1 ATS in last 5; under 3-1 in last 4 meetings; Chiefs 9-1 SU in last 10.
CHIEFS NOTES:
• QB CHRIS OLADOKUN had TD pass in 1st career start in Week 17. • RB ISIAH PACHECO rushed for 32 yards last week. Has 45+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 on road & has rush TD in 4 of his past 5 vs. LV. Rushed for 57 yards & TD in Week 7 meeting. • RB BRASHARD SMITH (rookie) had 1st-career rec. TD in Week 17. Had careerhigh 81 scrimmage yards (42 rec., 39 rush) in Week 7 meeting. • WR RASHEE RICE had 7 catches for 51 yards last week. Has 7+ catches in 3 of his past 4. Had 7 catches for 42 yards & 2 TDs in Week 7 meeting. • WR HOLLYWOOD BROWN had rec. TD in Week 7 meeting. • TE TRAVIS KELCE had 5 receptions in Week 17. Has 45+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 on road. Aims for his 4th in row vs. division with 5+ receptions. Had 10 receptions for 90 yards & TD in last meeting at LV. • DE CHRIS JONES had sack last week. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 overall & has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. division, incl. in Week 7 meeting. Aims for his 5th in row vs. LV with TFL. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS had 2 tackles in Week 17. Has sack & PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. LV. • DE CHARLES OMENIHU had 5 tackles last week. • LB NICK BOLTON led team with 12 tackles & had 1st INT of season in Week 17. Has 10+ tackles in 5 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4 overall. Had 9 tackles in last meeting at LV. • LB DRUE TRANQUILL had 9 tackles last week. Has 10+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. Had 6 tackles, 3 TFL, sack & FR in last meeting at LV. • S BRYAN COOK had 8 tackles & PD in Week 17. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • DB CHAMARRI CONNER had 10 tackles last week. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3. • CB NOHL WILLIAMS (rookie) had 8 tackles & 3 TFL in Week 17.
RAIDERS NOTES:
• QB GENO SMITH completed 20 of 28 atts. (71.4 pct.) for 176 yards & TD in Week 17. Has 65+ comp. pct., 165+ pass yards & TD pass in 4 of his past 5 games. • RB ASHTON JEANTY had 73 scrimmage yards (60 rush, 13 rec.) last week. Leads rookies in scrimmage yards (1,227) & rush yards (888) & ranks 2nd in scrimmage TDs (12). • WR TRE TUCKER had 5 catches for 49 yards in Week 17. Aims for his 3rd in row with 40+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches in Week 7 meeting. • WR TYLER LOCKETT had 1st TD catch of season last week. Had 4 catches for 99 yards in his only career game vs. KC (12/23/18 w/ Sea.). • TE MICHAEL MAYER set career highs in receptions (9) & rec. yards (89) in Week 17. • LB DEVIN WHITE had 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 6th in row with 8+ tackles. Is 1 of 5 in NFL with 8+ tackles in 12+ games (12) this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. KC with 10+ tackles & TFL. • LB ELANDON ROBERTS had 6 tackles in Week 17. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 18 tackles & TFL in Week 7 meeting. • DT JONAH LAULU had 4 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for his 3rd in row overall with 4+ tackles & TFL & aims for his 3rd in row vs. KC with 3+ tackles & PD. Had 3 tackles & 2 PD in Week 7 meeting. • DE MALCOLM KOONCE had sack in Week 17. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. Had 5 tackles in Week 7 meeting. • DT TONKA HEMINGWAY (rookie) had sack & PD last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. • S ISAIAH POLA-MAO had 3 tackles & PD in Week 17. Has 5+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. Had 9 tackles in Week 7 meeting. • S LONNIE JOHNSON had 7 tackles last week.
Game Odds
Kansas City Chiefs – 5.5
Las Vegas Raiders 36.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
