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The Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 16 ranked 10th in offensive scoring this season. While that is better than most other teams still, Kansas City is not playing at the same heights as we had previously been accustomed to. The Chiefs are currently averaging 22.8 points per game. Interestingly, this KC offense has only scored 20 points or more in eight of their 14 games this season. That is roughly 57 percent of their contests on the year.
In past seasons, we were used to seeing the Chiefs light up the scoreboard and sometimes reach 30 points multiple times per year. That even came at what looked to be effortless levels, so to speak. But in 2023, things have been different. The Chiefs offense has produced less explosive plays down the field. Their balance has been much more crucial throughout their wins. And most of all, this team has been searching to put two solid offensive performances together, for seemingly all season long.
Overall, the Chiefs have had no issue producing points in games against the Raiders recently. Moreover, Kansas City is looking to carry their scoring momentum from last week to a Christmas afternoon contest against a division rival. Let’s kick it off.
Mahomes Creates Magic Against Raiders
Raider Week can mean many things for the Kansas City Chiefs. But for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he has always appeared to be comfortable against this hated rival. Kansas City has faced the Raiders 11 times since Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018. In those 11 matchups, the Chiefs are an incredible 10-1. On top of that, KC has averaged 35.5 points per game in games against Las Vegas and Oakland at the time, with Mahomes as the signal caller. This Chiefs offense has never scored less than 28 points in a single game against the Raiders with this quarterback. Finally, Mahomes has tallied 3,338 passing yards, a 66.8 completion percentage and a 29 to three touchdown-to-interception ratio in those 11 games.
As far as this AFC West opponent goes, the Raiders just always seem to be a sense of comfort for the Chiefs. When Kansas City has been led by Mahomes against this team, the wealth appears to be spread adequately. That has been an issue to work through for KC this season, in total. But looking back at the first matchup against the Raiders this season, Mahomes and the Chiefs were able to get guys like Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco rolling.
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Building Off Of Previous Week
We mentioned that 28-point barrier that Mahomes and the Chiefs have always met against the Raiders. Obviously, their win in Vegas this season is the only time in which they have hit that checkpoint in the last seven games. That includes a stretch where Kansas City is just 3-4. Even though they did not meet that threshold last week, the Chiefs were close, scoring 27 against the New England Patriots.
It was a mostly complete offensive performance throughout most of the game. A tipped interception off of the hands of Kadarius Toney was arguably the biggest mistake. But, the Chiefs cut down on their penalties. There was better execution from Kansas City in the red zone. Elsewhere, this Chiefs offense got back to diving into their bag of tricks with a few different creative play calls.
If those finer details continue to be ironed out, the Chiefs will continue to build their scoring momentum. With how this Kansas City defense has played most of the year, to boot, the Chiefs could look to simple fixes for more consistency. If that resonates come playoff time, this team could come closer to reaching their ultimate goal.
Searching For Answers In Arrowhead
It is crazy to see how up and down the Chiefs offense has been at home this season. Inside of Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City has been left to search for answers more recently. In six games played at Arrowhead in 2023, the Chiefs are just 3-3, which includes two straight losses.
As for the offensive scoring, this Kansas City offense has totaled 145 points at home. That is good enough for an average of 24.16 points per game in that set of six contests. While that average may not look horrible on the surface, it is skewed greatly by two dominant showings against the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Chargers.
They have only reached 20 points scored in half of those six outings at Arrowhead Stadium. In the three home wins, Kansas City has averaged 30.3 points per game. In the three home losses, however, the Chiefs offense has averaged just 18 points per game. Will a Christmas game against the Raiders lead to more positive answers for the Chiefs offense at home?
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.