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Kansas City Clinches AFC West With Doink Field Goal In Final Seconds
A Thrilling End to a Wild Game
In a thrilling finish to a wild game, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the AFC West with a 29-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football. The game was tied 23-23 with just seconds remaining when Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker lined up for a 49-yard field goal attempt. The kick was wide left, but it hit the right upright and doinked in for the game-winning points.
The Chiefs’ victory was their fourth straight and improved their record to 12-1. They clinched the AFC West for the seventh time in the past nine seasons. The Raiders fell to 6-7 with the loss and are now on the outside looking in for a wild-card berth.
Butker’s Doink Heard ‘Round the World
Butker’s game-winning field goal will be remembered for years to come. It was a truly improbable kick that gave the Chiefs a dramatic victory. Butker had missed two field goals earlier in the game, so his game-winner was all the more impressive.
The kick also had a major impact on the AFC playoff race. The Chiefs are now in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Raiders are now in danger of missing the playoffs altogether.
Chiefs Defense Shines in the Clutch
The Chiefs’ defense deserves a lot of credit for the win over the Raiders. They held the Raiders to just 23 points and forced two turnovers. The Chiefs’ defense also came up with a big stop on the Raiders’ final drive of the game.
The Chiefs’ defense has been playing well all season long. They are now ranked third in the NFL in points allowed per game.
Mahomes Struggles But Chiefs Clinch Division
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes did not have his best game against the Raiders. He completed just 18 of 34 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. He also threw two interceptions.
However, Mahomes did make some big plays when he needed them. He led the Chiefs on a game-winning drive in the final minutes of the game. He also threw a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce in the second quarter that gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead.
Implications for the AFC Playoff Race
The Chiefs’ victory over the Raiders has major implications for the AFC playoff race.
The Chiefs are now in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They have a two-game lead over the Cincinnati Bengals, who are 10-3. The Chiefs also have the tiebreaker over the Bengals, so they would win the AFC North if the two teams finish with the same record.
The Raiders are now in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. They are 6-7 and trail the New York Jets by one game for the final wild-card spot. The Raiders have a tough schedule remaining, so they will need to win their final four games to have a chance at making the playoffs.
Conclusion
The Chiefs’ victory over the Raiders was a thrilling end to a wild game. Butker’s game-winning field goal will be remembered for years to come. The Chiefs’ defense also deserves a lot of credit for the win. They held the Raiders to just 23 points and forced two turnovers.
The Chiefs’ victory has major implications for the AFC playoff race. They are now in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, while the Raiders are now in danger of missing the playoffs altogether.
