KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A year ago, the Raiders took a victory lap around Arrowhead Stadium.
This time, their gesture was a bit premature.
About 15 minutes before kickoff Sunday, Raiders players gathered on the Chiefs’ midfield logo — an unwritten no-no — for their pre-game pep talk.
It was not a good omen.
The Chiefs destroyed the Raiders in a 48-9 victory Sunday, scoring the first 35 points of the game.
They have won six straight games ahead of Thursday’s showdown with the Chargers in Los Angeles.
Here are five observations from immediately after the blowout of the Raiders:
1. Peaking at the right time
Through a turbulent opening two months — and we’re being kind there — the Chiefs once fell to last place in the AFC West. Outside of the playoff picture. Losers of four of six.
And yet on Dec. 12, still nearly a month left in the season, here they sit — atop the AFC West, battling for the No. 1 seed in the conference and the look of a team that nobody will want to see in late January.
This was the Chiefs’ most complete game of the season — you’re not quite sure whether the offense or defense deserves the most credit.
The offense looks like it hasn’t missed a beat since 2018-2020 (it has, of course). The defense looks as though it’s been one of the best all season (though it hasn’t).
2. The defense
The reason for the midseason defensive turnaround can be debated — the pass rush, Melvin Ingram’s addition, Juan Thornhill’s insertion to the secondary, more playing time for the young linebackers — but there’s no doubt which effect has the biggest consequence.
