LAS VEGAS — Daniel Carlson silenced Allegiant Stadium with a 60-yard blast as the clock hit zero, handing the Las Vegas Raiders a 14-12 upset over the Kansas City Chiefs and putting the final stamp on a chaotic 2025-26 regular season.
In a game defined by defensive stalemates and offensive frustration, the Raiders relied on their most consistent weapon. The 60-yard attempt was no chip shot, but Carlson’s kick cleared the crossbar with room to spare, sending Kansas City home with their 11th loss of the season. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense struggled to find a rhythm all afternoon, finishing with just 240 total yards.
Rode together all year. pic.twitter.com/xwGgs1KxZZ
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2026
The victory gave Las Vegas fans a reason to cheer in an otherwise dismal 3-14 campaign. Ironically, the win didn’t hurt their draft stock. Because the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals also finished with three wins but held stronger strength-of-schedule tiebreakers, the Raiders successfully clinched the No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft.
| Team | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
“I didn’t even look up until I heard the bench go crazy. At that distance, you just trust the mechanics and let it rip.” — Raiders Kicker Daniel Carlson
“This season didn’t go how we planned, but ending it by beating a rival on a kick like that? That stays with you. We’ve got the top pick, and the future starts tomorrow.” — Raiders Interim Head Coach
With the Raiders-Chiefs finale in the books and the Steelers securing a 17-10 win over the Ravens on Sunday night, the 2026 postseason field is official. The Denver Broncos (14-3) take the top seed in the AFC, while the Seattle Seahawks (14-3) reign supreme in the NFC.
Wild Card weekend kicks off Saturday, January 10, featuring a high-stakes divisional rematch between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. In the AFC, MVP favorite Drake Maye leads the New England Patriots against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in what scouts are calling the most anticipated quarterback duel of the opening round.
Wild Card Matchups:
