Four takeaways from the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders

For the first time since Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs took the field at Allegiant Stadium hoping for a win. That's exactly what they did in Week 8, defeating a bitter rival in the process.

Despite a slow start from Steve Spagnuolo's defense, Kansas City fought back in time to neutralize their opponent. The Las Vegas Raiders couldn't quite keep up with the back-to-back world champions, who held a seven-point lead at halftime. Despite an uneven third quarter, Andy Reid's team ultimately secured a 27-20 win. The Chiefs are 7-0 this season, maintaining their status as the NFL's last undefeated team.

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

Many expected the Chiefs to pursue 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. Even though the three-time All-Pro is no longer at his best, the general consensus was that he would be a big help to an offense that desperately needed it. Taking ten snaps in the first half and appearing in the final two frames, the 32-year-old made quite an impression in his debut.

Hopkins finished the game with two catches for 29 yards, but his play extended beyond the box. On tight end Travis Kelce's first-half touchdown, Hopkins helped open things up for him. Early in the second half, Patrick Mahomes threw a ball deeper downfield to Xavier Worthy in the third, but Hopkins ran a nice route to take the lead. The volume numbers – goals, receptions And Snapshots – to come. The quality of reps Hopkins got in his first game as Chief was high.

It's been a very strange season for Mahomes, whose statistical outlook was also embarrassing heading into the 2023-24 season. This year's production across 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 will significantly change that, he had arguably his best performance since the Chiefs' season opener.

Mahomes appeared confident and mostly relaxed, establishing a stronger presence in the pocket and stretching out as needed. His legs proved to be a weapon on several plays, whether it was pitches to receivers on later reps or runs like his third-and-12 scramble in the fourth quarter. Mahomes' raw numbers (27 completions for 262 yards, two touchdowns and one interception) are certainly nothing crazy. However, it doesn't take much to see how he has improved his level of play.

With the offense failing to put up significant numbers for most of the season and struggling in the red zone for weeks, Spagnuolo's defense is under heavy strain. For the most part, this side of the ball has answered the call. Week 8 was another example of this, as Kansas City beat Gardner Minshew by blowing them out in the first quarter and slammed the door on the following possessions.

Perhaps the most dominant rushing defense in the NFL faced the worst rushing offense in football. The result was predictable. Between Minshew, Alexander Mattison, Zamir White and others, the Raiders only managed 33 yards on 24 carries. Against the pass, George Karlaftis got a sack to force a field goal in the third quarter and, along with Tershawn Wharton, assisted on another that ended in a turnover on downs. Mike Pennel also forced a fumble. The Raiders may have gotten off to an early start, but the Chiefs had the last laugh.

My colleague Mark Van Sickle was here at the weekend Kansas City Chiefs via SI jumped 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. entered Week 8 a perfect 5-0 at Allegiant Stadium. With a win on Sunday, Reid tied Josh McDaniels for the most wins in the building (6). Not only did Kansas City further contribute to the Arrowhead West narrative, but Mahomes seemed to be coming to terms with what he hinted at back in July.

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

Read more: Steve Spagnuolo praises CB Christian Roland-Wallace – “He deserves everything”