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We are a day away from the merciful conclusion to the Raiders 2025 campaign. Their final test will come against an also reeling Chiefs squad that is without QB Patrick Mahomes and thus has lost five straight. The Raiders see their futility and raise them a ten-game losing streak with all their star players on injured reserve. Both teams look like they want to lose. So, let's see what John Dillon from Chiefs Wire had to say about what he expects the old ketchup and mustard gang throws out there in Vegas.
1. How likely do you think it is the Chiefs try to tank this game?
To be fair, Kansas City is down to its third-string quarterback because of injuries, so "tank" is likely to look a lot different than it would if Patrick Mahomes were under center. But I expect the Chiefs to treat this like a preseason game. Draft position is all that matters for Kansas City at this point, and the Chiefs' coaching staff would be doing itself a disservice by winning this game.
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2. A lot of talk about this being Travis Kelce's last game. You think it is?
I'm almost certain that this won't be Kelce's final game. Even if he retires after the regular season, I think he'd come out of retirement at some point for a Super Bowl run à la Rob Gronkowski. Kelce is only 36. Maybe he won't want to face the full rigors of another season, but I can't imagine Kelce passing on a chance to win another ring.
3. What do you think the fans want more -- for the Chiefs to keep the Vegas win streak alive or to keep the Raiders from getting the top pick in the draft?
I think most Chiefs fans are focused on Kansas City's potential draft position. After so many years of picking in the 20s and 30s, the prospect of having an early selection is genuinely exciting. The Chiefs' success at Allegiant Stadium is a cool quirk/oddity, but ultimately inconsequential.
4. What happened to the Chiefs this season? How easily/quickly do you think it will be to fix?
It's honestly hard to say what happened. So many of the games Kansas City lost were decided by one score, and both sides of the ball were just so uncharacteristically undisciplined. Some of the Chiefs' only free agent signings (Kristian Fulton, Jaylon Moore, Elijah Mitchell) rode the bench until midseason, or just straight-up didn't get playing time. To me, this seems like an indication that there may be some kind of disconnect between Kansas City's front office and coaching staff. Or, maybe this was just a down year where nothing went to plan. It's hard to say at this point, but I expect the Chiefs to be contenders next season.
5. Who wins this game? Why? Score prediction?
I think Kansas City will probably win this game, if only because the Chiefs have gotten in their own way all season. Make no mistake, Kansas City needs to lose this game for the greater good, or whatever. I don't think Andy Reid will fumble the bag. The Chiefs will maximize their draft position and come back swinging next season. Final score: Chiefs 10, Raiders 23
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Previewing Raiders season finale with Chiefs Wire
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