A nail-biting finish! The Las Vegas Raiders clinched a dramatic 14-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on January 4, 2026, ending their season on a high note. This game was more than just a win; it was a statement. But here's where it gets controversial... Daniel Carlson, a pending free agent, stole the show with a career-long 60-yard field goal with a mere eight seconds left on the clock. This incredible feat not only secured the win but also potentially earned him a lucrative contract, either with the Raiders or another NFL team. His previous longest field goal was 57 yards. Talk about pressure! Carlson and the Chiefs' Harrison Butker each showcased their kicking prowess, each making four field goals throughout the game. Butker's 41-yarder with just over a minute left briefly gave the Chiefs a lead, only to be immediately overshadowed by Carlson's game-winning kick. "For all the guys in the locker room, it’s been a tough season," Carlson admitted, highlighting the team's struggles. "There’s no way around that, but to end it like this, I think it was really cool to send everyone to the offseason on a good note.”
This victory marked the Raiders' first win against the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium and snapped their 10-game losing streak. It also ended their 11-game skid against AFC West opponents. The Chiefs, on the other hand, saw their losing streak extend to six games and eight losses in their last 10 games. Ashton Jeanty of the Raiders had a strong performance, rushing for 87 yards and finishing the season with 975 yards, placing him second among Raiders rookies, just behind Josh Jacobs' 1,150 yards in 2019. Jeanty's total of 1,321 yards from scrimmage also broke the club rookie record previously held by Jacobs (1,316 yards). Coach Pete Carroll praised Jeanty, noting his ability to "maximize the opportunities that he had."
Before the game even began, the Raiders were guaranteed the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, thanks to the New York Giants' victory over the Dallas Cowboys. This took some of the pressure off the game's outcome. The future of Raiders coach Pete Carroll is uncertain. He was hired about a year ago. Carroll, however, remained tight-lipped about his future, hinting at a desire to return.
This game may have also been the final game for Kansas City's Travis Kelce. The 36-year-old tight end, who became the third tight end to reach 13,000 yards in his career, has not announced whether he will retire. Both teams seemed to treat the game more like a preseason event. Key players were sidelined due to injuries or other reasons. The Chiefs were without quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, both out with knee injuries. The Raiders were missing Geno Smith due to an ankle injury. Chris Oladokun started for the Chiefs, while Kenny Pickett and Aidan O'Connell shared quarterback duties for the Raiders.
Tyree Wilson led the Raiders' defense with two sacks, contributing to a season-high eight sacks for the team. Chris Jones of the Chiefs also recorded two sacks, bringing his career total to 86 1/2, the third most in Chiefs history.
Injuries:
- Chiefs: Trey Smith (ankle) did not play.
- Raiders: Geno Smith (ankle), Adam Butler (bicep), Kolton Miller (ankle), Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee), and Dylan Parham (illness) did not play. Isaiah Pola-Mao (shoulder) went out late in the second quarter.
What do you think about the Raiders' season overall? Do you think Carlson will stay with the team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
