The beef between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders has grown exponentially over a “victory lap” back in Week 5.
The Kansas City Chiefs enjoyed their Week 10 bye with some much needed rest and relaxation. Now, they set their focus on the rival Las Vegas Raiders, who easily dismantled the Denver Broncos 37-13 on Sunday afternoon.
The Chiefs are out for revenge not just for their 40-32 loss to the Raiders, but for their actions after the game. Of course, we’re talking about the infamous “victory lap” the Raiders bus took around Arrowhead Stadium.
On Monday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that the Raiders were entitled to celebrate anyway they wanted because they won, but said taking laps around the parking lot was “not our style.” Later on in the day, Raiders sideline boss Jon Gruden was asked about Reid’s mention of their celebration, and he completely threw the bus driver under the bus for being a “smart aleck.”
Chiefs-Raiders now carries a major storyline into next Sunday night
The look of disgust by Gruden says more than words ever could. The Raiders coach was obviously perturbed by the question, and proceeded to place the blame on the bus driver who made “snide comments” about the team, so that’s why they took laps around Arrowhead Stadium. Not to make a statement against the Chiefs, but to annoy said driver. Well, that’s what Gruden says anyway.
The first Raiders-Chiefs meeting was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams entering halftime with a 24-24 tie. Las Vegas took control in the fourth quarter, thanks to two red zone rushing touchdowns by running back Josh Jacobs and a 43-yard field goal by Daniel Carson, giving the Raiders their first win over the Chiefs since 2017.
This season, the Raiders have been a pleasant surprise, as they’re right in the thick of the Wild-Card race.
A victory over the Chiefs on Sunday night would help them break away from the likes of the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns while also cutting into Kansas City’s AFC West division lead. But a win by the Chiefs will all-but seal their third-consecutive division title and help silence their seemingly overconfident rivals in the Raiders.
There you have it folks. Chiefs versus Raiders will forever be known as the “Victory Lap Game.”