For the first time since Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs took the field at Allegiant Stadium looking for a win. That’s exactly what they got in Week 8, beating a bitter rival.

Despite a slow start from Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, Kansas City once again gave in in time to neutralize the opponent. The Las Vegas Raiders couldn’t quite keep up with back-to-back world champions, who took a seven-point lead at halftime. Even as a strange third quarter occurred, Andy Reid’s side ultimately secured a 27-20 victory. The Chiefs are 7-0 on the season and maintain their position as the NFL’s last undefeated team.

With that in mind, here are four takeaways from Sunday’s game.

Many expected the Chiefs to land a wide receiver on the trade market at some point, but it still felt like a shock when they acquired DeAndre Hopkins a few days ago. Although the three-time All-Pro is no longer in his prime, the general consensus was that he would greatly help an offense that desperately needed it. With ten shots in the first half and filtering in the final two frames, the 32-year-old made quite an impression on his debut.

Hopkins finished with two catches for 29 yards, but his play went beyond the box score. On Travis Kelce’s first-half touchdown, Hopkins helped open things up for him. To start the second half, Patrick Mahomes threw a ball deeper downfield to Xavier Worthy on third down, but Hopkins ran a beautiful route to get open. The volume numbers – goals, receipts And snaps – will come. The quality of the reps Hopkins made in his first game as Chief was high.

It’s been a very strange season for Mahomes, who also had difficult statistical prospects in 2023-2024. This year’s production, through seven games, is significantly worse. As of Sunday, the two-time NFL MVP had thrown just six touchdowns, compared to eight interceptions. While nothing he did against Las Vegas would significantly change that, he turned in perhaps his best performance since the Chiefs’ season opener.

Mahomes looked confident and, above all, comfortable, providing a more solid presence in the pocket and expanding when necessary. His legs proved to be a weapon on multiple plays, whether late pitches to receivers or runs like his third-and-12 scramble in the fourth quarter. Mahomes’ raw numbers (27 completions for 262 yards, two touchdowns and an interception) are certainly nothing crazy. However, it doesn’t take much to see how he improved his level of play.

With the offense not putting up flashy numbers for most of the season and struggling in the red zone for weeks, there is a lot of reliance on Spagnuolo’s defense. For the most part, that side of the ball has answered the call. Week 8 was another example of that, as Kansas City overcame Gardner Minshew by shredding them in the first quarter and slamming the door on the ensuing possessions.

Perhaps the NFL’s most dominant rushing defense met football’s worst rushing attack. The outcome was predictable. Between Minshew, Alexander Mattison, Zamir White and others, the Raiders mustered just 33 yards on 24 carries. Against the pass, George Karlaftis had a sack to force a field goal in the third quarter and assisted with Tershawn Wharton on another goal that ended in a turnover on downs. Mike Pennel also forced a fumble. The Raiders may have started early, but the Chiefs had the last laugh.

My colleague Mark Van Sickle was here last weekend Kansas City Chiefs on SI delved into the Chiefs’ success in Las Vegas (OK, Paradise) since the Raiders moved. Including the aforementioned Super Bowl earlier this calendar year, Reid and Co. entering Week 8 with a perfect 5-0 mark at Allegiant Stadium. With a win on Sunday, Reid tied Josh McDaniels for the most wins in that building with six. Not only did Kansas City continue to contribute to the “Arrowhead West” narrative, but Mahomes also seemed to be able to handle what he hinted at in July.

After winning six straight against the Raiders, the Chiefs suffered an upset on Christmas Day late last season. With one meet left this year, Kansas City is now back on the winning train and has a chance to put together a streak in Week 13. Revenge is usually a dish best served cold, but on Sunday in the temperature-controlled dome of Allegiant, Mahomes and Co. took what they could get.

Read more: Steve Spagnuolo praises CB Christian Roland-Wallace – ‘He deserved everything’