As the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs meet in the NFL’s Black Friday duel, memories of their last holiday duel are still alive. The Raiders’ surprising 20-14 win on Christmas was more than a surprise – it was a pivotal moment that changed the Chiefs’ path to the Super Bowl.

Then-interim coach Antonio Pierce and his team triggered a wake-up call that reverberated throughout Kansas City. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid didn’t mince his words about the impact.

“I texted him,” Reid later shared. “I just said: ‘First of all, a beautiful facility. And thank you for kicking our butts – you taught us a lesson. Complacency is dangerous in this business, and the line between victory and defeat is razor-thin.’”

The Chiefs responded by ending their season with a six-game winning streak, capped off with a Super Bowl title – fittingly at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders.

Kansas City carried that momentum into this season, starting with a dominant nine-game winning streak.

The 2-9 Raiders may have less at stake than the 10-1 Chiefs — but as Reid reminded us last year, there are always lessons to be learned, especially against division rivals.

Follow us for live updates on the Black Friday showdown between the AFC West opponents.