Derek Carr tops Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs for first time

Patrick Mahomes has never had much trouble beating the Raiders, especially in Kansas City, but that all changed this week, as the Raiders stunned the favorites 40-32 on the road.

Mahomes had been sacked just once through four games, but the Raiders were able to keep pressure on him, getting him on the ground three times on the day. The Chiefs star quarterback has been great under pressure, but it’s still likely the only way to stop the best quarterback in the league right now.

The Raiders got down 21-11 midway through the second quarter, but what happened next wasn’t the usual, as Mahomes and company didn’t pull away. Instead, the Raiders came right back, scoring two more times in the second quarter. Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes, a short one to tight end Darren Waller and a 72-yard bomb to speedster Henry Ruggs. That gave them a 24-24 tie at halftime.

DraftKings Sportsbook had the lines for this matchup firmly in favor of the Chiefs:

Point spread: Chiefs -10.5 (1st half Chiefs -6.5)
Point total: 54.5 (1st half 26.5)
Moneyline: Raiders +450, Chiefs -560

The Chiefs did lose Sammy Watkins, who has been one of Mahomes’ top targets this season, but the Raiders were just the better team today.

In the second half, Josh Jacobs found the end zone twice to help Las Vegas build a 40-24 lead in the second half and despite Mahomes making it 40-32 with a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce, the Raiders were able to run out the clock and get the biggest won of the Jon Gruden era.