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The Kansas City Chiefs will wrap up their 2025 season on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Kansas City enters the finale at 6-10, while Las Vegas is 2-14 and already locked into the worst record in the league. While the playoff picture is settled, the game still matters because of contract incentives, record chases, and roster decisions that could affect the offseason.
Chiefs and Raiders Enter Week 18 From Very Different Spots
The Chiefs are coming off a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 17. Kansas City played much of the game with backup players but stayed competitive and had the ball late with a chance to tie or take the lead. The loss officially eliminated the Chiefs from postseason contention but also gave the coaching staff extended looks at several depth players.
The Raiders, meanwhile, suffered a 34-10 loss at home to the New York Giants. That defeat sealed Las Vegas as the NFL’s worst team this season and secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs dominated the first meeting between the teams earlier this season, winning 31-0 at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 7.
Chiefs Players Chase Incentives and Franchise Records
One of the biggest storylines in Week 18 centers on individual incentives and records. According to data from The Action Network, multiple Chiefs players are within reach of meaningful contract bonuses and historical benchmarks.
Tight end Travis Kelce needs two receptions to pass Terrell Owens for eighth place on the NFL’s all-time receptions list. Kelce has consistently produced against Las Vegas, totaling 38 receptions, 465 yards, and two touchdowns over five career games at Allegiant Stadium. He also recorded nine catches for 93 yards at the same venue during Super Bowl LVIII.
Kelce has said he will decide on his future this offseason. The veteran tight end sits 161 receiving yards shy of another 1,000-yard season. If this is his final game, the Chiefs could give him opportunities to chase the milestone, especially given his history of success in Las Vegas.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones needs half a sack to move into third place in franchise history. Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has two incentives in play, needing one touchdown to earn a $750,000 bonus and 102 receiving yards to unlock an additional $625,000. Running back Kareem Hunt is 31 scrimmage yards away from a $25,000 bonus.
Altogether, Chiefs players could earn up to $1.4 million in incentives based on Week 18 performances.
Roster Evaluation and Backup Opportunities
The Chiefs are likely to focus on evaluating younger players while limiting injury risk against the Raiders too. Rookie running back Brashard Smith scored his first career touchdown in Week 17 and could see more playing time in the finale. He has mainly been used as a receiver out of the backfield, but he also carried the ball 14 times for 39 yards against the Raiders earlier this season when the game was already decided.
Smith could be in line for another increased workload, especially with Hunt missing practice all week due to illness. Kansas City may also rotate players along the offensive line.
Although center Creed Humphrey has started 84 games straight, backup Hunter Nourzad could see action as the team manages snaps and evaluates depth.
Other players under contract through 2026, including Kingsley Suamataia, Jones, George Karlaftis, and Nick Bolton, could also see reduced snaps. Veterans headed toward free agency, such as Drue Tranquill, Bryan Cook, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Brown, may be handled cautiously.
The matchup takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with kickoff scheduled for 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead time and coverage on CBS.
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