The Las Vegas Raiders just endured a rough Week 15, getting blanked 31-0 by the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that felt more like a preseason tune-up than a late-season NFL matchup. But somehow, their AFC West rivals in Kansas City might've had an even worse Sunday.
Not only did the Chiefs get officially eliminated from playoff contention-something that hasn’t happened since Patrick Mahomes took over as QB in 2018-but they also lost their franchise cornerstone in the final minute of the game. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL, ending his season and likely sidelining him for the start of 2026 as well.
That’s a seismic shift not just for Kansas City, but for the entire AFC. The Chiefs were already teetering after an up-and-down year, and now they’re staring down an offseason full of questions-none bigger than how they’ll handle Mahomes’ recovery and what it means for their short-term future. But for the Raiders, the ripple effect of Mahomes' injury could have an unexpected twist.
Raiders’ Draft Dreams Could Be in Jeopardy
Let’s zoom out for a second. The Raiders are currently sitting with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with a 2-12 record, they’re in prime position to potentially land the top selection-if they lose out.
That’s been the quiet hope among some fans: drop the final few games, secure that No. 1 spot, and walk into April with a clear path to a franchise-changing draft pick. Week 17 against the New York Giants looms large-two 2-12 teams battling in what might be the most consequential game for draft order all season.
But now, Week 18 has gotten a lot more complicated.
With Mahomes out and the Chiefs officially out of the playoff picture, there’s a strong chance Kansas City rests its stars in the season finale. That could mean no Travis Kelce, no Chris Jones, and maybe no Trent McDuffie if he’s still nursing injuries. Essentially, the Raiders might be lining up against Kansas City's second unit.
And that’s where things get tricky.
Can the Raiders Beat the Backups?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Raiders have had a brutal season. They’ve been shut out twice, including a 31-0 loss to these same Chiefs back in Week 7. But that was with Mahomes under center and the full weight of Kansas City’s roster behind him.
This time? It could be a very different story.
We’ve seen what happens when the Chiefs roll with their backups. Just last season, they closed out the regular year with a 38-0 loss to the Broncos while resting starters. If Kansas City takes a similar approach in Week 18, the Raiders could find themselves facing a winnable game-maybe even a likely win.
That’s where the internal conflict begins for Raider Nation. A win in Week 18 would do nothing for the team’s playoff hopes.
It wouldn’t change the narrative of the season. It wouldn’t secure Pete Carroll’s job or shift the long-term direction of the franchise.
But it could cost them the No. 1 overall pick.
The Mahomes Ripple Effect
That’s the cruel irony here. Mahomes, even from the sideline and likely in a brace, still manages to influence the fate of the Raiders. His injury might open the door for Las Vegas to win a meaningless game-one that could have very real consequences when the draft rolls around.
The Raiders have endured a lot this season. Blowout losses.
Quarterback instability. Coaching questions.
And through all of it, fans have clung to the hope that a high draft pick could be the light at the end of the tunnel.
But now, thanks to Mahomes’ injury and the likelihood of a Chiefs team coasting into the offseason, that hope is suddenly in jeopardy.
So here we are: two games left, and the Raiders may have to try to lose to secure their future. That’s a tough pill to swallow in a sport built on competition and pride. But when a generational draft pick might be on the line, the stakes are bigger than just one win.
And somehow, even from the injured list, Mahomes is still shaping the Raiders’ future.