It seems poetic, and ironic, the fashion in which the Las Vegas Raiders won their 2025 season finale over the Kansas City Chiefs.
After 16 games hampered by special teams mishaps and Daniel Carlson coming into the game with his lowest field goal percentage since 2019, special teams was the reason the Silver and Black pulled out a 14-12 win over their divisional rivals.
The eight-year veteran, among one of the last four Oakland Raiders on the roster, went 4-on-4 kicking for the day and sealed the victory with a career-long 60-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in regulation.
"There's nothing better than winning on the last play of the game where [there's] all but a couple seconds left," Head Coach Pete Carroll said postgame, "but it's a great finish for our guys. You can imagine, I hope, how they feel now that they did something special like that."
"We can't not talk about the kicker. What a great day, man," Carroll added. "And the kickoff too. He had just a freakin' great day. To hit 60 yards and with plenty of room to spare, is what I was told, it was pretty cool."
The Raiders' first two offensive drives were disastrous, starting with Kenny Pickett throwing an interception to Chamarri Conner on a pass intended for Jack Bech. On the Silver and Black's next possession, Pickett was sacked at their own two-yard line by Chris Jones. The first score of the game came with 4:58 remaining in the first quarter when Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a 36-yard field goal.
While the Raiders offense couldn't find a groove, their defense managed to overwhelm Chris Oladokun in his second career start. They held the Chiefs to 72 net offensive yards and a 30 percent third-down conversion rate in the first half. At the top of the second quarter, Tyree Wilson came away with a strip sack on the Chiefs quarterback with rookie JJ Pegues picking up the fumble recovery.
Receiving solid field position from the turnover, the offense leaned on Ashton Jeanty to tout the rock and Aidan O'Connell came in at quarterback. As the first-rounder averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the possession, the Silver and Black got into the red zone for the first time in the game. This resulted in Carlson tying the game with a 32-yard field goal.
The defense continued to feast on the Chiefs offense, as Wilson forced another fumble near the end of the first half. This was the Raiders' first time since Week 13 creating a turnover and their fourth game this season with multiple takeaways. Darien Porter recovered the football at the Kansas City 18-yard line, placing Carlson in prime position to take the lead as a 23-yard field goal would make it 6-3 heading into halftime.
A stagnant Chiefs offense got a kickstart in the third quarter by inserting Shane Buechele in at quarterback. He went 4-of-4 for 33 yards on his first career drive, with Butker capping it off with a 40-yard field goal to tie the game with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Las Vegas responded with a 10-play drive. O'Connell started to get into a rhythm, going 3-of-4 for 25 yards and Carlson's perfect night continued with a 55-yarder straight down the middle of the uprights. It was the All-Pro kicker's first field goal attempt from 50+ yards since the team's Week 6 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Wilson put an exclamation point on his dominant showing late in the fourth quarter, with the Chiefs pinned against their own goal line. A 47-yard punt from AJ Cole put Kansas City at their own 7-yard line and the edge rusher came clean off the line of scrimmage on third down for a safety on Buechele.
This was Wilson's first career game with multiple sacks. He also recorded five solo tackles and the two forced fumbles while the defense as a whole racked up eight sacks, the team's most in a game since Week 9 of the 2023 season.
"Just to end the season with a win against a AFC West opponent is a great feeling," Wilson said. "Seeing young guys like Tonka, coming out with a two sack game, Charles Snowden, two sack game, it's a great feeling."
"It didn't prove anything," he added when asked if this was a statement game. "I know what kind of guys we got in the locker room, what kind of guys we got in our [defensive line] room. It's just about displaying it to the world."
The safety wasn't enough to put away the Chiefs quite yet.
On the ensuing kickoff return, the ball was stripped out of Dylan Laube's hands, giving the Chiefs the ball back for Butler to make a 47-yard field goal and bring the score within two points. The Raiders would punt the ball back to Kansas City after a three-and-out, with the drive ending on a second Chris Jones quarterback sack.
Buechele threw up a haymaker to Marquise Brown for 51 yards, and Butker made his fourth and final field goal from 41 yards to take a one-point lead.
Time and time before throughout the 2025 season, the Raiders have faltered in these situations with their backs against the wall. But this time, they competed to the end.
Zamir White had a clutch 30-yard kickoff return, followed up by O'Connell hitting up Michael Mayer and Tyler Lockett for completions totaling 26 yards. For a last time this game, and this season, Carlson jogged on the field.
"There's a certain awareness of the situation obviously but for me, I try and treat every kick the same," he said postgame. "Go through my pre-kick routine and stuff. Obviously, it was a longer one. Knew the situation."
If Carlson was anxious at all lining up for the 60-yarder, you couldn't tell. He booted it in the middle of the uprights, providing a small silver lining to close a tumultuous season.
"All the work that you put in throughout a season starting in OTAs going through camp, going through the highs and the lows of the season," he said, "it's just so fun to get to celebrate with your teammates and guys that's kind of been in the bunkers with you for the last however many months.
"It's just a blessing to get to end on a high note like that. Doesn't always end like that necessarily, but I'm very grateful that we got to have some fun at the end."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 18 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and safety Tristin McCollum (27) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52), defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) and defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a 32-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 23-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 55-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) makes a tackle for a safety during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) makes a tackle for a safety during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) celebrates with teammates after making a tackle for a safety during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 60-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 60-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 60-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
