Chiefs welcome Raiders back to Arrowhead Stadium after stunning loss to AFC West rival last year

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs know full well what happened the previous time the Raiders visited Arrowhead Stadium during the holidays.

It was on Christmas Day last year, and then-interim Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce and quarterback Aidan O'Connell did just enough — with their defense providing two touchdowns — to spring the 20-14 upset of the defending Super Bowl champions.

It almost seems as if the smell of their victory cigars lingers outside the visiting locker room to this day.

So the Chiefs have a little extra motivation as their bitter, longtime AFC West rival arrives Friday for a rare post-Thanksgiving football feast. And they hope for a different kind of wake-up call — a blowout for a change for a team that has continually played games decided in the final minutes — that can jump-start their push toward the top seed in the AFC playoffs.

“Wins are hard to come by in this league,” said Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who has been held without a sack for seven straight games. “I think overall as a team we feel like there are still a lot of areas we can improve.”

It helps the Chiefs (10-1) that they are getting healthy at the right time.

This could be the week that running back Isiah Pacheco returns after hurting his ankle and needing surgery following a Week 2 game against Cincinnati. And it also could be the week that defensive end Charles Omenihu, who has not played since tearing his right ACL in the playoffs, gets back on the field to help a pass rush that has struggled to get to the quarterback.

“We're getting healthier as an offense," quarterback Patrick Mahomes said, “and we're just getting more reps with guys, and as the season goes on you see what guys are best at. Not it's about building and continuing to build the rest of the season.”

The Raiders (2-9) are certainly a work in progress.

O'Connell will be back under center after landing on the injured list with a broken thumb on his right hand on Oct. 20. He takes over from Gardner Minshew, who broke his collarbone in last week's loss to the Broncos.

“It's challenging for our team right now with losing seven straight games,” Pierce said, “but the opportunities are there. The want-to and desire — one thing about these guys is they love one another. They love the game. They're passionate about it. I think hopefully it shows up on film, the effort that they play with. The physicality's picked up over the last couple of weeks. They have done a good job of buying in. These younger guys understand this is their opportunity, right?”

Just as it was when the Raiders rolled into Kansas City on Christmas Day last year.

The Raiders and Chiefs have at least one thing in common: turnovers. The Chiefs are a dismal minus-5 in differential, though that is nothing compared with Las Vegas. It is last in giveaways with 22 and takeaways with five, making them one of four teams since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to lead the NFL in both of those categories.

The Raiders beat the Chiefs last year despite O'Connell going just 9 of 21 for 62 yards and getting sacked twice. But the second-year pro can nevertheless join some exclusive company. The Bills' Josh Allen is the only QB to beat Mahomes at least twice inside Arrowhead Stadium, and O'Connell could become just the fifth Raiders quarterback to win there in back-to-back seasons.

The Chiefs already were relying on Spencer Shrader, signed off the Jets' practice squad, to replace Harrison Butker, who is on IR with a knee injury. But after Shrader hurt his hamstring in a game against Carolina — he still kicked the 31-yard winner as time expired — it forced the Chiefs to sign Matt Wright to kick if needed against the Raiders.

Backup tight end Noah Gray has been the biggest beneficiary of the Chiefs trading for DeAndre Hopkins, which has forced teams to divide their attention between Travis Kelce and the three-time All-Pro wide receiver. Gray has been able to get open in the red zone the past two weeks, pulling down two touchdown catches in each of the wins.

Along with traditional Sunday games, the Chiefs already have played twice on Monday night and once on Thursday night. The Friday matinee against the Raiders is just the start of an even more chaotic schedule down the stretch: Sunday night against the Chargers, Sunday afternoon in Cleveland, Saturday against the Texans and Wednesday — yes, Wednesday — in Pittsburgh.

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

Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace (56) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones breaks up a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches play against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) makes a catch as Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs in overtime against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs after the catch as Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The long sports-filled Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many Americans enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation.

Also on the menu — all the NFL and college sports you can handle.

Here's a roadmap to one of the biggest sports weekends of the year, with a look at marquee games over the holiday and how to watch. All times are in EST. All odds are by BetMGM Sportsbook.

—NFL: There is a triple-header lined up for pro football fans.

Chicago at Detroit, 12:30 p.m., CBS: Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears go against the Lions, who are one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl in February. Lions favored by 10.

New York at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., Fox: The Giants and Cowboys are both suffering through miserable seasons and are now using backup quarterbacks for different reasons. But if Dallas can figure out a way to win, it will still be on the fringe of the playoff race. Cowboys favored by 3 1/2.

Miami at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock: The Packers stumbled slightly out of the gate but have won six of their past seven games. They'll need a win against Miami to try to keep pace in the NFC North. Packers favored by 3.

—College Football: Memphis at No. 18 Tulane, 7:30 p.m., ESPN. If college football is your jam, this is a good warmup for a big weekend. The Tigers try to ruin the Green Wave’s perfect record in the American Athletic Conference. Tulane is favored by 14.

—NFL: A rare Friday showdown features the league-leading Chiefs.

Las Vegas at Kansas City, 3 p.m. Prime Video: The Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are 12-point favorites over the Raiders.

—College Basketball: Some of the top programs meet in holiday tournaments around the country.

Battle 4 Atlantis championship, 5:30 p.m., ESPN: One of the premier early season tournaments, the eight-team field includes No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 14 Indiana and No. 24 Arizona.

Rady Children's Invitational, 6 p.m., Fox: It's the championship game for a four-team field that includes No. 13 Purdue and No. 23 Mississippi.

—College Football: There is a full slate of college games to dig into.

Oregon State at No. 11 Boise State, noon, Fox: The Broncos try to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt when they host the Beavers. Boise State favored by 19 1/2.

Oklahoma State at No. 23 Colorado, noon, ABC: The Buffaloes and Coach Prime are still in the hunt for the Big 12 championship game when they host the Cowboys. Colorado favored by 16 1/2.

Georgia Tech at No. 6 Georgia, 7:30 p.m., ABC: The Bulldogs are on pace for a spot in the CFP but host what could be a tricky game against rival Georgia Tech. Georgia favored by 19 1/2.

—NBA. After taking Thanksgiving off, pro basketball returns.

Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., ESPN: The Thunder look like one of the best teams in the NBA's Western Conference. They'll host Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers.

—College Football. There are more matchups with playoff implications.

Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State, noon, Fox: The Wolverines are struggling one season after winning the national title. They could make their fan base a whole lot happier with an upset of the Buckeyes. Ohio State favored by 21.

No. 7 Tennessee at Vanderbilt, noon, ABC: The Volunteers are a fairly big favorite and have dominated this series, but the Commodores have been a tough team this season and already have achieved a monumental upset over Alabama. Tennessee favored by 11.

No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson, noon, ESPN: The Palmetto State rivals are both hanging on the edge of the CFP playoff race. A win — particularly for Clemson — would go a long way toward clinching its spot in the field. Clemson favored by 2 1/2.

No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. ABC: The Aggies host their in-state rival for the first time since 2011 after the Longhorns joined the SEC. Texas favored by 5 1/2.

Washington at No. 1 Oregon, 7:30 p.m., NBC: The top-ranked Ducks have been one of the nation’s best teams all season. They’ll face the Huskies, who would love a marquee win in coach Jedd Fisch’s first season. Oregon favored by 19 1/2.

—NBA: A star-studded clash is part of the league's lineup.

Golden State at Phoenix, 9 p.m., NBA TV: Steph Curry and the Warriors are set to face the Suns' Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

—NFL: It's Sunday, that says it all.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., CBS: Joe Burrow is having a great season for the Bengals, who are struggling in other areas. They need a win to stay in the playoff race, hosting a Steelers team that's 8-3 and won five of their past six. Bengals favored by 3.

Arizona at Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox: The Cardinals are tied for the top of the NFC West while the Vikings are 9-2 and have been one of the biggest surprises of the season with journeyman Sam Darnold under center. Vikings favored by 3 1/2.

Philadelphia at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m., CBS: Two of the league's most electric players will be on the field when Saquon Barkley and the Eagles travel to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Ravens favored by 3.

San Francisco at Buffalo, 8:20 p.m. NBC/Peacock: The 49ers try to get back to .500 against the Bills, who have won six straight. Bills favored by 7.

—NBA. The best teams in the Eastern Conference meet in a statement game.

Boston at Cleveland, 6 p.m., NBA TV: The defending champion Celtics travel to face the Cavs, who won their first 15 games to start the season.

—Premier League: English soccer fans have a marquee matchup.

Manchester City at Liverpool, 11 a.m., USA Network/Telemundo. The two top teams meet with Manchester City trying to shake off recent struggles.

—Auto Racing: The F1 season nears its conclusion.

F1 Qatar Grand Prix, 11 a.m., ESPN2 – It's the penultimate race of the season. Max Verstappen already has clinched his fourth consecutive season championship.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) works in the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)