Chiefs Escape Controversy As First NFL Team to Clinch Playoffs

The Kansas City Chiefs are not making it easy on themselves. But in the end, after a controversial Thanksgiving outing on Friday that resulted in a zany 19-17 win over a game but blundering Raiders team ... the back-to-back Super Bowl champions have become the first NFL team in 2024 to clinch a playoff spot.

The Chiefs won, once again in dramatic fashion, to advance to 11-1. ... the best record in the league. 

The Chiefs were up 16-3 at one point in the third quarter of the ballgame and seemed like they might cruise. But rookie tight end Brock Bowers scored a 33-yard touchdown catch for the Raiders and then receiver Tre Tucker was off to the races with a 58-yard house call catch and the lead. ... forcing the Chiefs to have to win in the fourth quarter with "clutch'' again.

Here, that came in the form of a field goal drive to go up 19-17.

The Raiders, for the third time in one game, saw kicker Daniel Carlson waste their hopes of an upset. He missed a 56-yarder in the first half, a 55-yard field goal in the third quarter, and then a 58-yard attempt late, on Las Vegas’ best chance to win the game.

That ruined good work by Las Vegas quarterback Aiden O'Connell ... though he was involved in late controversy when as the Raiders were driving in the final seconds, an early shotgun snap caught him off guard. The ball bounced off his shoulder and was eventually recovered by the Chiefs ... with the officials getting involved and making it all the more confusing.

But this much is clear: KC is the first team to clinch ... and is in the playoffs for the 10th straight season.