The two AFC favorites rolled on Sunday behind their top-notch quarterbacks, which is an understatement for both. First, the Kansas City Chiefs faced their first challenge since cutting ties with Kareem Hunt on Friday due to his assault video getting released. The Chiefs passed that first test, taking out the Oakland Raiders, 40-33, on the road. Patrick Mahomes threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns, joining Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to reach 40 touchdowns through 12 games in a season. Spencer Ware took over as the starting running back for Hunt and scored one touchdown on a fourth-and-one play in the third quarter.
Two of Mahomes' touchdown passes found Travis Kelce, while another was a 13-yard score to Demetrius Harris. The young quarterback finished 23-for-38 on the day, and now has 41 touchdown passes on the year to lead the NFL. His top target was Kelce, as the tight end finished with 12 catches for 168 yards, and has now reached 1,000 receiving yards for a third straight season.
The Raiders struggled with three fumble losses and reached double digit losses for the 12th time in 16 seasons. Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes in the loss, but kept his team in the game against the AFC's top team. Oakland is now 2-10 overall and 1-5 on their home field, as they move on to host the tough Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Chiefs will return home to host the Baltimore Ravens.
Elsewhere, the New England Patriots had a battle with a tough NFC team, but Brady took over yet again on yet another big platform. He threw for 311 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, lifting the Patriots to a 24-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Brady also surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards in his 19th NFL season, while leading head coach Bill Belichick to his 250th career win. His lone touchdown pass was to Josh Gordon in the third quarter, lifting the Patriots to an AFC East leading 9-3 record, including 6-0 on their home field.
He completed 24 of his 32 passes and now has 579 touchdown passes, which ties him with Peyton Manning for the most all-time. There is next to no doubt that he will pass Manning sooner rather than later. That total is including playoffs, as he has 508 in the regular season alone, which is tied for third with Brett Favre for most all-time. Only Manning and Drew Brees have thrown more in their careers.
The Patriots finished with 471 yards of total offense, headlined by James Duvelin recording a career-high two touchdown runs in the win. They have won eight of their past nine games since starting the season 1-2 early on. Belichick's December record improves to 65-13, while Brady's sits at 59-11, which are both all-time records in the NFL. The Pats also clinched their 18th straight winning season, which is the second-longest streak in NFL history. Only the Dallas Cowboys have a longer such streak from 1966-1985. The Patriots are still looking to clinch a playoff spot, and will move forward in that process when they visit the second-place Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Vikings move on to a Monday night showdown with NFC playoff hopeful Seattle Seahawks.
Two of Mahomes' touchdown passes found Travis Kelce, while another was a 13-yard score to Demetrius Harris. The young quarterback finished 23-for-38 on the day, and now has 41 touchdown passes on the year to lead the NFL. His top target was Kelce, as the tight end finished with 12 catches for 168 yards, and has now reached 1,000 receiving yards for a third straight season.
The Raiders struggled with three fumble losses and reached double digit losses for the 12th time in 16 seasons. Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes in the loss, but kept his team in the game against the AFC's top team. Oakland is now 2-10 overall and 1-5 on their home field, as they move on to host the tough Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Chiefs will return home to host the Baltimore Ravens.
Elsewhere, the New England Patriots had a battle with a tough NFC team, but Brady took over yet again on yet another big platform. He threw for 311 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, lifting the Patriots to a 24-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Brady also surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards in his 19th NFL season, while leading head coach Bill Belichick to his 250th career win. His lone touchdown pass was to Josh Gordon in the third quarter, lifting the Patriots to an AFC East leading 9-3 record, including 6-0 on their home field.
He completed 24 of his 32 passes and now has 579 touchdown passes, which ties him with Peyton Manning for the most all-time. There is next to no doubt that he will pass Manning sooner rather than later. That total is including playoffs, as he has 508 in the regular season alone, which is tied for third with Brett Favre for most all-time. Only Manning and Drew Brees have thrown more in their careers.
The Patriots finished with 471 yards of total offense, headlined by James Duvelin recording a career-high two touchdown runs in the win. They have won eight of their past nine games since starting the season 1-2 early on. Belichick's December record improves to 65-13, while Brady's sits at 59-11, which are both all-time records in the NFL. The Pats also clinched their 18th straight winning season, which is the second-longest streak in NFL history. Only the Dallas Cowboys have a longer such streak from 1966-1985. The Patriots are still looking to clinch a playoff spot, and will move forward in that process when they visit the second-place Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Vikings move on to a Monday night showdown with NFC playoff hopeful Seattle Seahawks.
