Mahomes passes for 262 yards and 2 TDs, Chiefs beat Raiders 27-20 to improve to 7-0

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes didn't make many mistakes Sunday, but one of his few errors could've cost the Chiefs the game.

He needed his defense to come to the rescue — and it did.

Kansas City kept the Raiders off the scoreboard even after facing first-and-goal at the 3-yard line, changing the tenor of the game and allowing the two-time defending champion Chiefs to continue their domination in Las Vegas with a 27-20 victory to remain undefeated.

That sequence occurred late in the third quarter with the Chiefs clinging to a 17-13 lead.

“It's easy in that situation to let them kind of get into the end zone because it's not really on them," Mahomes said. “It was on the offense that put them in position, but they stood their ground. The defense made a big-time stop and we were able to carry momentum into a win.”

The Chiefs (7-0) extended their winning streak to 13 games, including the playoffs. Their last loss was at home to Las Vegas, but the Chiefs are 5-0 against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium and 6-0 there including the Super Bowl in February.

Las Vegas (2-6) has lost four consecutive games, but this was the first time the Raiders had scored at least 20 points since a 20-16 victory over Cleveland on Sept. 29.

Mahomes passed for 262 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 30,000 yards. He accomplished that in his 103rd game; Matthew Stafford had hit that mark at 109.

Mahomes' top target was Travis Kelce, who had 10 catches for 90 yards, both season highs. He last caught double-digit passes on Oct. 22, 2023, and this was the highest-yardage output since Nov. 26.

Kelce also had a touchdown catch, his 75th to pass Jason Witten for fifth on the NFL tight end list. Kelce moved within two of breaking Tony Gonzalez's team record.

Gardner Minshew completed 24 of 30 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns for Las Vegas, but was sacked five times. Jakobi Meyers, who missed the two previous games because of an ankle injury, caught six passes for 52 yards and a TD.

Minshew had the burden of carrying an offense that had virtually no running game, finishing with 33 yards, averaging 1.6 per carry. The Chiefs entered the game with the NFL's fourth-best run defense, allowing 90.5 yards per game.

“For us, being able to stop the run is the primary goal every single week,” Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis said. “We make them one-dimensional, there's where we want to be.”

Las Vegas also had trouble getting the Chiefs off the field, allowing KC to convert on 12 of 16 third downs. That ties the Commanders for the second-highest rate in a game this season, behind the Bengals who converted on 76.9% on Sunday against the Eagles.

The Raiders, however, made the champs work for this victory. But Las Vegas failed to take advantage of key opportunities

The Raiders had the ball and 1:57 left on the clock at the end of the first half, but went with two running plays before an incomplete pass on third down. Kansas City got the ball back and went 56 yards on nine plays for Harrison Butker's 42-yard field goal with four seconds left that made it 17-10.

Then there was that series in the third quarter.

Las Vegas trailed by four points when safety Tre'von Moehrig intercepted Mahomes' pass to give the Raiders the ball at the Chiefs 3. Running plays by Alexander Mattison resulted in plays of 2 yards, a no gain and a loss of 2 before Minshew was sacked on fourth down.

“(We’re) trying to establish some physicality with our guys up front,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “Right there at the 3-yard line, you've got to pound it in. Turnover, sudden change. Should be able to punch that ball in.”

The Chiefs then went 87 yards on 19 carries, taking 9:43 off the clock, to set up another field goal from Butker, this one from 24 yards early in the fourth quarter for a seven-point lead.

A strip sack of Minshew set up the final Chiefs' touchdown with 4:59 left to all but seal the victory, though the Raiders scored a TD just before the 2-minute warning to create some drama. Kansas City then recovered the onside kick.

Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was targeted three times and finished with two catches for 29 yards.

The Chiefs traded a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans last week for Hopkins, a former All-Pro brought to help a unit decimated by injuries.

“He wanted to be in there, which is a positive thing,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He'll get more chances the next game.”

Chiefs: S Nazeeh Johnson (concussion) went out in the first half. TE Jody Fortson (knee) also was injured.

Raiders: C Andre James (ankle) was injured in the second half.

Chiefs: Host Tampa Bay on Monday, Nov. 4.

Raiders: At Cincinnati on Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) gets past Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig intercepts a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) is stopped by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (98) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) catches a touchdown pass as Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes but was far from the star for the Detroit Lions in one of the highest-scoring games in franchise history.

David Montgomery was the first of five Lions to score in the first half in a 52-14 rout of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The Lions were efficient on offense, converting on all five chances in the red zone, and the other two phases were dominant. Detroit's defense forced four turnovers, and its special teams produced Kalif Raymond's 90-yard punt return for a touchdown — he finished with 190 yards on five punt returns — and Khalil Dorsey's 72-yard kickoff return that set up another score.

Detroit became the third team since 1941 to have a punt return of 90 yards or more and a kickoff return of 70 or more in a game.

“We play with three units and when a couple of them are humming at the right time, it can bail out one of your units,” coach Dan Campbell said.

The NFC North-leading Lions (6-1) have the conference's best record after winning five straight games, averaging 40-plus points over the last four, and the franchise's best seven-game record since 1956.

Detroit's scoring total trailed only a franchise-record, 55-point performance against Chicago in 1997.

The Lions were fine without big-play receiver Jameson Williams, who served the first of a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.

“We didn't miss a beat,” Campbell said.

Detroit has been on a roll by leaning on Goff, but it had more points (42) than he had passing yards (28) early in the third quarter. He finished 12 of 15 for 85 yards, taking advantage of takeaways by the defense that set him up with short fields.

“I don’t think I've ever been a part of something like that,” the 30-year-old Goff said.

The Lions also pulled off a trick play as they do in most games — this time, a touchdown pass by running back Montgomery, who took a pitch from Goff and found Sam LaPorta from 3 yards out to give the Lions a 35-14 lead and their highest-scoring half since 1970.

Jahmyr Gibbs had a 70-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter and finished with a season-high 127 yards rushing. Dorsey's long return to set up Goff's 8-yard TD pass to Brock Wright early in the second.

Raymond's 90-yard kickoff return early in the third put Detroit ahead 42-14.

The Titans (1-6) were handed a lopsided loss for the second straight week and have already signaled this is a rebuilding year by trading veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and starting linebacker Ernest Jones Jr.

“You’re going to get blown out by every team in the league turning the ball over four times,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said. “We just don’t complement each other at all. Right now, our special teams gives up yards, our defense doesn’t get a stop and we don’t do anything on offense and we turn it over. Everything needs to be better.”

The Titans extended their streak of throwing an interception in every game when Mason Rudolph was picked off by linebacker Trevor Nowaske in the first quarter. Rudolph later floated a pass that Kerby Joseph intercepted.

Rudolph did rush for his first touchdown, an 11-yarder that fooled Detroit’s defense and tied the game late in the first quarter.

Rudolph, starting for the injured Will Levis, was 22 of 38 for 266 yards with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine early in the second quarter and two interceptions.

“I’ve got to protect the ball better and put our defense in a better situation,” Rudolph said. “I thought we did good things in the first half and we did move the ball, possess the ball, but none of that matters when you get your butt kicked.”

Ridley matched a career high with 10 receptions for a season-high 143 yards. Tony Pollard ran for a season-high 95 yards on 20 carries.

Titans: Levis (shoulder) missed a second straight week and CB L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) was also inactive.

Lions: LB Malcom Rodriguez (ankle) was ruled out in the first half and Campbell said he didn't think it would be a season-ending injury. DE Josh Paschal (illness) was inactive.

Titans: Host New England next Sunday.

Lions: At Green Bay next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Tim Patrick (17) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) runs with the ball after making an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

A Detroit Lions fan watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs into the end zone for a touchdown past Tennessee Titans cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) and linebacker Jack Gibbens (50) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs for a touchdown past Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs (28) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) makes a catch past Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)