Chiefs-Raiders: Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes reflect on big win in Week 8

On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs earned a 27-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, increasing their 2024 record to 7-0 and tying a franchise record with their 13th consecutive win.

Fans were particularly interested in seeing new wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in action – and they weren't disappointed. Head coach Andy Reid was pleased.

“I thought it was good,” he told reporters after the game. “He wanted to be in there, which is positive – and I understand. This way he will get more chances in the next game.”

Hopkins had a game-winning catch on the first drive of the game. Targeted three times, he caught two passes for 29 yards – and played a key role in helping tight end Travis Kelce collect 10 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.

“I thought he did a great job,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “(On third down), he had the big catch early in the game — and then he had a couple other big plays. I missed him on that one corner route early in the game, but he still had a chance.

“Then when I looked back at the tablet (on the sidelines), there were a few times where he really worked in the men's coverage and won. Even the touchdown to Trav, if you look back at his side, he's open for a touchdown there.

“I mean, obviously I know the type of player he is – but when you see that on the pitch it shows that he's going to be open when they play man-marking against him. I have to give him a chance to go out and make plays.”

But it wasn't just the passing game that worked. While Kareem Hunt only managed 59 yards on 21 attempts, it was obvious that Kansas City could rely on him to keep the defense honest. And of course Mahomes also has problems in key moments. In a 19-play drive that stretched into the third quarter, the quarterback converted two third downs with his legs – one of them a third-and-12.

“I think the guys just did their job,” Mahomes said. “I don’t think it was one or the other. I mean, we ran it sometimes; I I did it sometimes. We threw the ball when we had to throw it. This (Las Vegas) defense has a lot of different coverages. The boys were able to recognize the coverages and implement them at a high level. I thought we played a pretty good football game offensively.”

Then there was Kansas City's defense, which allowed an opening touchdown. But from then until the fourth quarter, the unit only allowed two Las Vegas field goals. Then, in the third quarter, when a deflected pass was intercepted that gave the Raiders the ball at the Kansas City 3-yard line, the Chiefs defense shut them down cold. Las Vegas gave up the ball on depths.

Reid called the series “incredible.”

“Offensively, we put the defense in a bad position,” he said. “But we held on as a defense. We came out, gave it our all and did a good job there. That was important.”

Mahomes was amazed at the defensive stop.

“In one dire situation, the entire unit stepped up when their number was called to conduct a major stop,” he marveled. “That’s what great football teams are supposed to be about. It requires greatness from everyone; It can't be one guy. That's what made us so great for so long. My entire career isn't all about me. It's not just about Trav. It's about this entire team. That’s what makes it so special.”

And now this team is 7-0.