NFL rivalries don’t come bigger than the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders. When these two historic rivals meet, upsets and high-octane drama are almost guaranteed. But just how old is this rivalry, and how does it compare to other NFL rivalries?
To paint a picture, these two franchises have been direct rivals since 1960, when they made their respective AFL debuts. This was back then when the Las Vegas Raiders were the Oakland Raiders and the Chiefs the Houston Texans.
The multi-generational rivalry is further fueled by the two teams competing in the AFC West division and having met over 130 times.
The Kansas City Chiefs have the better head-to-head record (74-55-2). While the Chiefs have a better head-to-head ratio and currently lead the AFC West, their match against the Raiders is never a walk in the park.
Origins of the Chiefs vs Raiders Rivalry
It’s easy to think that the Chiefs vs Raiders rivalry intensified after the AFL-NFL merger, but these two franchises have been at it since the AFL started in 1960.
The Early Days in the AFL (1960s)
The Raiders and the Chiefs, both founding members of the American Football League, have never been at odds since they started playing in the same division.
The Chiefs won the first-ever game 34–16, a result that the Raiders overturned in the second game as they won 20-19.
Initially a normal rivalry between two top competitors, the rivalry took a more aggressive turn when the late Lamar Hunt (Chief’s owner) brokered the AFL-NFL merger behind Al Davis’ back (Raiders’ owner). This didn’t go too well with the Las Vegas Raiders owners and fanbase, and the rivalry escalated further.
The Silver and Black and Chiefs had identical 12-2 records in the 1968 season. This forced a playoff game to determine who would face the Jets for the championship. The Raiders went on to win 41-6, further worsening the rivalry.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ dominance in the late '60s continued until Jan 4, 1969, when the Chiefs earned a much-needed win en route to becoming Super Bowl champions. Unlike the Raiders, who lost in the previous national finals, the Chiefs win got them their first-ever Super Bowl after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
The AFL-NFL Merger and the AFC West
When the AFL merged with the NFL, the Black and Silver were placed in the same conference (AFC West) as the Chiefs. It didn’t help that the two teams were direct competitors in the AFC West and, even worse, that the Raiders’ owner was left out of the negotiations.
As expected, the enmity between the two franchises escalated quickly in the 1970s. The first match-up was hugely controversial, with the Raiders earning a 17-17 tie after being 17-14 down with 1:08 on the clock.
Throughout the early to mid-seventies, the two teams split their meetings. The Raiders got the occasional edge before winning the Super Bowl XI in 1977.
October 3, 1977, was a date to remember under the lights of Monday Night Football as the Raiders blew their rivals in the second half. The Silver and Black scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to win 37-28 and maintain their unbeaten run.
Memorable Moments in Chiefs vs Raiders History
The 1970s: Decade of Dominance
The 1970s was a transition period for the league and an era-defying period for the two franchises. While the Raiders edged out the Chiefs regarding wins and overall performance, their battles were eye-catching for fans and neutrals alike.
The first match between the Chiefs and Raiders after the NFL merger set the tone for the fiercest rivalry of the decade. The Raiders overturned a 17-14 deficit to earn arguably the most controversial draw in NFL history.
All the drama started when Chiefs’ quarterback Len Dawson was aggressively fouled (helmet dive) by the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive end Ben Davidson. Other players jumped in, and an ugly bench-clearing brawl ensued. Both players got ejected, but the Chiefs felt the effect of the draw more. They consequently lost ground in the title race and the AFC West Championship to Oakland later.
October 1971 saw the Kansas City Chiefs win and get payback over the Raiders (16-14) courtesy of Len Dawson’s superb game management. At this time, Ken Stabler was Daryle Lamonica’s backup and was yet to establish himself as a Raiders legend. Things started changing towards the end of 1972 when the Raiders won 26-3, a clear indication of Dawson’s fading powers.
Stabler started creating waves as the Raiders’ main man in November 1975 when he orchestrated a comeback by throwing two touchdowns in the last quarter. They won 28-20 and reasserted the Raiders’ increasing dominance.
In the Raiders’ Super Bowl-winning 1976 season, Stabler proved to be a thorn in the Chiefs’ flesh yet again. The QB threw a game-winning TD to Cliff Branch, establishing himself as a clutch player and Raider’s go-to man.
The Raiders enjoyed a decade of dominance over the Chiefs, recording impressive victories in 15 out of 20 regular-season games.
Marcus Allen’s Betrayal: The 1990s
Marcus Allen’s decision to switch coincided with the Chiefs' upturn in form. The decorated running back had an outstanding career before a public fallout with Al Davis saw him switch allegiance. He signed for the Chiefs to further fuel the hostility between the two teams.
The running back’s switch to the Chiefs unsurprisingly coincided with the franchises’ change in fortunes. Allen kickstarted his career with a touchdown against the Raiders in his debut season, helping the Chiefs to a 27-21 victory on October 17, 1993. It was the worst nightmare of every Raiders fan.
This kickstarted Kansas City’s period of dominance as they won seven in a row from 1993 to 1996 before Allen's retirement.
Modern Rivalry: The Mahomes Era
Although the Chiefs have enjoyed their best period recently, the Rangers always present a tough challenge. Derek Carr, former Silver and Black QB, famously struggled 3-14 against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs didn’t need Mahomes to kickstart their recent dominance over struggling Raiders. The Kansas City franchise won 5 consecutive meetings since their 2014 loss to the Raiders. Things have never looked bleaker for the Raiders since Mahomes became the Chiefs’ starting QB in the 2018 season.
Patrick Mahomes, widely considered among the NFL’s best-ever QBs, has a neat 11-2 record against the Raiders. The Kansas City Chief continues to torment the Raiders' defense, further enhancing the value of an ‘upset’ for the long-term rivals.
For the Raiders, a victory against the Chiefs is as good as a championship victory and will always remain top of their agenda. This is even more so after enduring one of the toughest periods in their history since the turn of the century.
Chiefs Vs. Raiders Rivalry Today
Why Chiefs vs Raiders Remains the NFL’s Greatest Rivalry
If there’s a team that can upset the Chiefs despite their near-faultless run, it has to be the Raiders. Silver and Black head coach Pierce believes an upset is possible despite their contrasting fortunes with the champs.
The two teams have actively competed since the ‘60s, with each enjoying a prolonged period of success. The Chiefs are currently enjoying their golden era, but the Las Vegas Raiders proved last Christmas that an upset isn't impossible when the two sides meet.
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FAQ about Chiefs vs Raiders
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How do the Chiefs and Raiders compare historically in head-to-head matchups?
The Chiefs boast a 75-55-2 head-to-head record against the Raiders. Many of the Chiefs’ wins have come in the 21st century as they continue to dominate their fierce rivals. As the Chiefs continue their title charge, you can bet on the Raiders to do everything in their power to spoil the party.
Wrapping Up
Regarding rivalries, not many teams boast a rich heritage like the two AFC West franchises.
While fans want to see the Chiefs continue breaking NFL records, their eternal rivals hope they can break sooner rather than later.
Will Kansas City continue its recent dominance over the Raiders and the NFL? Only time will tell.
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