Chiefs clinch playoffs with 56-31 win vs. Raiders
OAKLAND, Calif. – Jamaal Charles turned the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff-clinching party into a game-long celebration right from the start.
Charles scored the first of his team record-tying five touchdowns on a 49-yard screen pass on the first play from scrimmage, sending the Chiefs to a 56-31 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday that clinched at least a wild-card spot.
“A big part of this team depends on me, Charles said. “Once I’m healthy this offense can go a long way and this team can go a long way.”
Alex Smith threw four of his five TD passes to Charles, going 17 for 20 for 287 yards to make the Chiefs the fourth team ever to make the playoffs a year after losing at least 14 games. Kansas City (11-3) is tied for first place in the AFC West with Denver but needs help to win the division because the Broncos swept the season series.
“Anytime you can be a part of the turnaround, it’s a special feeling,” Smith said. “These guys have worked hard and deserve a ton of credit. It’s special to be a part of this.”
Matt McGloin threw four interceptions and lost a fumble while sharing time with Terrelle Pryor as Oakland (4-10) allowed the most points in franchise history and lost its fourth straight game. The Raiders had seven turnovers.
The performance drew boos from a crowd frustrated over 11 straight seasons without a winning record and raised questions about whether the Raiders are showing enough progress in year two under coach Dennis Allen.
There is no questioning the progress the Chiefs have made in their first year under coach Andy Reid who took over a team that went 2-14 a year ago.
The addition of Smith to a talented roster that featured six Pro Bowl players also helped.
Charles was one of those Pro Bowlers a year ago but he never had a game quite like this even though he only rushed for 20 yards on eight carries. He did most of his work in the passing game, beating blitzes with screen passes and also having success downfield.
He caught eight passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns in the third-most productive receiving day by a running back since the 1970 merger.
Chiefs 56, Raiders 31
| Kansas City | 21 | 14 | 14 | 7 | — | 56 |
| Oakland | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | — | 31 |
KC—Charles 49 pass from A.Smith (Succop kick)
Oak—FG Janikowski 34
KC—Charles 39 pass from A.Smith (Succop kick)
KC—Berry 47 interception return (Succop kick)
Oak—Jennings 1 run (Janikowski kick)
KC—Charles 1 run (Succop kick)
KC—Charles 16 pass from A.Smith (Succop kick)
Oak—Jennings 1 run (Janikowski kick)
Oak—Holmes 6 pass from McGloin (Janikowski kick)
Oak—Rivera 14 pass from McGloin (Janikowski kick)
KC—Charles 71 pass from A.Smith (Succop kick)
KC—McGrath 6 pass from A.Smith (Succop kick)
KC—Davis 17 run (Succop kick)
A—49,571.
| KC | Oak | |
| First downs | 19 | 26 |
| Total Net Yards | 384 | 461 |
| Rushes-yards | 24-78 | 33-130 |
| Passing | 306 | 331 |
| Punt Returns | 1-9 | 1-6 |
| Kickoff Returns | 4-107 | 5-130 |
| Interceptions Ret. | 5-119 | 0-0 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 20-25-0 | 20-41-5 |
| Sacked-Yrds Lost | 2-12 | 0-0 |
| Punts | 4-49.5 | 1-48.0 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 1-1 | 2-2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 8-91 | 10-90 |
| Time of Poss. | 25:53 | 34:07 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Kansas City, Davis 9-34, Charles 8-20, A.Smith 4-17, Jenkins 1-5, Gray 1-3, Daniel 1-(minus 1). Oakland, Jennings 23-91, Pryor 3-19, Reece 5-18, Olawale 1-2, McGloin 1-0.
PASSING—Kansas City, A.Smith 17-20-0-287, Daniel 3-5-0-31. Oakland, McGloin 18-36-4-297, Reece 1-1-0-22, Pryor 1-4-1-12.
RECEIVING—Kansas City, Charles 8-195, Bowe 3-24, Avery 2-33, McGrath 2-14, Davis 2-8, Gray 1-18, Sherman 1-15, Hall 1-11. Oakland, Streater 4-59, Holmes 4-58, Rivera 3-30, Jennings 3-12, Reece 2-52, D.Moore 2-46, Jones 1-52, Chekwa 1-22.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.