KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs achieved the first of their 2024 goals on Black Friday by clinching a playoff spot in their 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

It was another ugly, too-close-for-consolation win for the defending Super Bowl champions after they let a 13-point third-quarter lead become a one-possession lead in the fourth. The Raiders appeared to be in position to pull off a major upset when they got into field goal position with 14 seconds left while trailing by 2 points. But an illegal team penalty and turnover by the foul cost Las Vegas the chance to score a winning field goal.

Next, the Chiefs hope to win a ninth straight AFC West championship. They can clinch the division title by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. The 11-1 Chiefs also lead the rest of the AFC in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the conference playoffs.

Describe the game in two words: Pacheco is back. Running back Isiah Pacheco played for the first time since breaking his leg in a Week 2 game. Pacheco made a big play on a field goal in the third quarter with a 34-yard run.

Promising trend: The Chiefs, who have just two sacks in the past two games, sacked Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell three times. Defensive tackle Chris Jones was held without a sack since a Week 4 game against the Chargers, but dropped O’Connell twice.

Eye-popping statistic: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ second-quarter touchdown pass to receiver Justin Watson had a 26.6% completion probability, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s his lowest touchdown pass completion probability since 2021, when he had a touchdown throw to Darrel Williams against the Raiders in Week 10 (22%).

Forecast for next week: Cornerback Josh Williams remains in the starting lineup. He replaced Nazeeh Johnson in the second quarter against the Raiders after Johnson was badly beaten on a long pass. Williams, who has played well at times for the Chiefs, was an upgrade over Johnson. — Adam Teicher

Next game: vs. Chargers (December 8, 8:20 PM ET)

Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce raised more than just eyebrows when he acknowledged a certain narrative surrounding the Black Friday game, saying it was “the best team in football against the worst team in football.” However, neither team played their respective roles in the Chiefs’ victory. Everything goes out the window in rivalry games and there’s something about holiday week games at Arrowhead, with the Raiders upsetting the Chiefs here last Christmas. Pragmatically, scaring the two-time defending Super Bowl champions is the definition of a moral victory for Las Vegas, while the loss keeps the Raiders, who need reinforcements for a rebuild, on track for a top-3 draft pick.

Most surprising achievement: Kicker Daniel Carlson missed three field goals. Certainly, there were three long attempts – from 56, 55 and 58 meters – and in the cold. But what made the misses so surprising was that Carlson had already made 18 straight field goals before falling just short on the first and third and hooking the second wide left.

Promising trend: The Raiders entered the game with the worst rushing attack in the NFL, averaging 74.6 yards on the ground per game. They rushed for 116 yards against the Chiefs, who started the day with the No. 3 ranked rush defense.

Forecast for next week: More deep balls. Vertical play is indeed ingrained in the Raiders’ DNA, so it should come as no surprise for Las Vegas to take more in-depth shots at Tampa Bay. But with Aidan O’Connell back and his ability to throw the ball deeper than the injured Gardner Minshew, expect a back-to-the-future vibe scripted by interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner and assisted by his father Norv joined the Buccaneers with speedy receiver Tre Tucker, who ran in a 58-yard TD in Kansas City.

QB breakdown: O’Connell is who we thought he was. O’Connell made his first appearance since breaking the thumb of his right hand on October 20. He was comfortable in the pocket and threw deep, but also showed his trademark lack of mobility. He passed for 340 yards and completed 23 of 35 passes, but recorded three sacks, including one that knocked the Raiders out of field goal range.

Crucial game: O’Connell wasn’t ready for Jackson Powers-Johnson’s charge at the Chiefs’ 38-yard line with 14 seconds to play, and when the Raiders were in position for a game-winning field goal attempt, the ball bounced off his chest and was recovered by Chiefs LB Nick Bolton. Ball game. — Paul Gutierrez

Next game: at Buccaneers (Dec. 8, 1 p.m. ET)