Chiefs vs. Raiders Week 18 Matchup Preview: Battle for Pride and Draft Position
In Week 18 of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs with a record of 6-10 will face off against the Las Vegas Raiders, who are 2-14, at Allegiant Stadium. The league will reveal the schedule for the final 16 games of the 2025 season later on Sunday. The Chiefs have been listed as 4.5-point favorites for the upcoming game, as per FanDuel Sportsbook.
During Week 17, the Chiefs were initially considered 11.5-point underdogs against the Denver Broncos but ended up losing 20-13. Meanwhile, the Raiders are coming off a 34-10 defeat against the New York Giants. Both teams have had disappointing seasons in 2025, with the Chiefs on a five-game losing streak and the Raiders enduring a 10-game losing streak.
The absence of key players will impact both teams in this matchup. Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes will miss his third game due to a torn ACL and LCL suffered on December 14th. On the Raiders' side, star defensive end Maxx Crosby has been placed on injured reserve, leaving a void in their defense. The last time these AFC West rivals met on October 19th, the Chiefs dominated with a 31-0 victory, showcasing their best performance of the season.
As the season comes to a close, both teams will be playing for pride in their 134th all-time meeting. However, draft position implications may also come into play as they battle it out on the field.