2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Chiefs explode, Broncos remember a hero
By Randy Gurzi
![2021 NFL Power Rankings; The Kansas City Chiefs players on the bench dance during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports 2021 NFL Power Rankings; The Kansas City Chiefs players on the bench dance during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/055250d60126ba35e2c8a7deccae86527606d9092e5579f563fbf0ab3433cdc7.jpg)
team. 28. . . Previous: 17th. Las Vegas Raiders. 19
19. Las Vegas Raiders
On Thanksgiving Day, the Las Vegas Raiders scored an overtime win against the Dallas Cowboys, which ended a three-game skid. They were able to improve to 6-5 on that day but then a two-point loss the following outing to Washington dropped them to 6-6.
It felt like a huge missed opportunity but they still had a shot to correct things with a game in Week 14 against the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. A win would have put the Raiders just one game behind the Chiefs in the division. It could have also exercised some of the demons from the 41-14 blowout they suffered at the hands of Kansas City earlier this season.
If they were pumped up and ready for this challenge, it didn’t show. On their very first play from scrimmage, Josh Jacobs lost the ball and it was picked up by defensive back Micke Hughes, who ran it back 23-yards for a touchdown. They scored another four touchdowns to go up 35-0 before Las Vegas responded at all.
A 26-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson made it 35-3 at the half and the second half was all about trying to find some rhythm while K.C. was trying to kill the clock and prepare for the next week. Las Vegas is now 6-7 and the playoffs are looking like a dream for them.