The Kansas City Chiefs broke through in a major way on Sunday night, dismantling the Las Vegas Raiders in a 41-14 rout. The Chiefs have now won three games in a row after a 3-4 start to the season.
Despite the struggles up until this point, Kansas City now sits atop the AFC West at 6-4. Here are three Chiefs takeaways from the prime-time affair against the Raiders in Week 10.
Kansas City Chiefs Week 10 takeaways vs. Raiders
1. Patrick Mahomes Silences The Critics
FIVE. PASSING. TOUCHDOWNS. 😤
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 15, 2021
📺: #KCvsLV on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/wteJ8mYu4j
Patrick Mahomes reminded everyone why he won the MVP in his rookie year, giving fans a signature performance in Week 10.
Mahomes completed 35-of-50 attempts through the air for 406 yards and five touchdowns. This was the second week in a row Mahomes hasn't turned the ball over. That's great news considering his early-season struggles with interceptions.
Wideout Tyreek Hill hauled in two touchdowns, but Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce was the story of the day, catching eight passes for 119 yards. This was Kelce's first 100-plus-yard performance of the 2021 season.
It will be interesting to see if former All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon will suit up for the Chiefs in action going forward. Gordon would add a whole new dimension to Kansas City's offense, as they're already loaded with two speedy receivers in Hill and Mecole Hardman. After losing Sammy Watkins to free agency, Kansas City is in need of a big-time possession receiver, and Gordon could be the answer.
2. Defense Stands Tall
The Chiefs were horrific defensively to start the season. Kansas City struggled to contain both the rush and pass, and looked historically bad for a team that was in the Super Bowl the last two years.
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Steve Spagnuolo's unit is starting to show signs of life, however, coming off their second straight quality performance. After silencing Jordan Love in his NFL debut last weekend, Kansas City did a number on the Raiders as well. Derek Carr was sacked twice and threw a costly interception to Daniel Sorensen in the third quarter with Las Vegas trailing by two scores.
Kansas City will look to carry over its momentum on the defensive side of the ball next week at home against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.
3. Darrel Williams As RB1?
Although Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been sidelined due to injury during the Chiefs' win streak, Kansas City hasn't missed him.
Edwards-Helaire hasn't performed up to expectation since entering the league in 2020. The former first-round pick has only performed well in two games this season and will have his work cut out for him when he returns to the lineup.
Darrel Williams has done an admirable job as his replacement, and he totaled 144 yards on the ground and in the air on Sunday.
One of Williams' plays included a highlight-reel snag from Mahomes in the fourth quarter that sealed the game for Kansas City:
Well that was a fun one 🙂
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 15, 2021
📺: #KCvsLV on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/ksrcPHgvCb
Williams has been a member of the Chiefs since 2018, when he signed as an undrafted free agent. Edwards-Helaire should be available for next week against Dallas, but I'd assume Williams will get the majority of the touches.