Few rivalries in the NFL are as heated, as personal, or as deeply rooted in history as the one between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders. This is more than just a football feud—it’s a decades-long battle built on bad blood, big hits, and unforgettable moments.
From bench-clearing brawls to championship showdowns, the Chiefs and Raiders have never liked each other. The intensity has remained the same, even as the teams have changed cities, coaches, and quarterbacks. Let’s take a look back at how this rivalry became one of the fiercest in football.
The Beginning: Old School AFL Hatred
The Chiefs-Raiders rivalry dates back to the 1960s, when both teams were part of the AFL (American Football League). Chiefs head coach Hank Stram and Raiders coach Al Davis had clashing personalities—Stram was known for his innovative play-calling, while Davis was the fiery, aggressive architect of the Raiders’ bad-boy image.
The teams quickly became the class of the AFL, meeting in high-stakes games year after year. The rivalry reached a boiling point in 1969, when the Chiefs defeated the Raiders in the AFL Championship Game, earning their first Super Bowl trip and leaving the Raiders fuming.
The 1970s: Fists Fly and the Hate Grows
The merger between the AFL and NFL in 1970 only added fuel to the fire. Both teams found themselves in the AFC West, meaning they would now face off twice a year, every year.
During the 1970s, Raiders defensive end Ben Davidson and Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson became symbols of the rivalry. In one infamous game in 1970, Dawson scrambled for a first down and was already on the ground when Davidson launched himself into the quarterback, spearing him with his helmet. A bench-clearing brawl erupted, and the game ended in a tie—only making things worse.
The hatred deepened when John Madden took over as Raiders head coach and turned them into one of the most dominant teams of the decade. The Raiders won nine straight games over the Chiefs, rubbing salt in the wounds of Kansas City fans.
The 1990s: Marty Ball vs. The Raiders
The Chiefs spent much of the 1980s struggling, but the arrival of head coach Marty Schottenheimer in 1989 revived the rivalry. Schottenheimer hated the Raiders and made it clear that beating them was a top priority every season.
Under Schottenheimer, the Chiefs won 18 out of 22 matchups against the Raiders in the ’90s, including an epic 1991 playoff victory—Kansas City’s first postseason win since the Super Bowl era.
The rivalry hit new heights in 1994, when Chiefs quarterback Joe Montana led a game-winning drive in the final seconds to beat the Raiders on Monday Night Football. The win, which came in front of a packed Arrowhead crowd, became an instant classic.
The 2000s: The Vermeil Years and Monday Night Madness
In the early 2000s, both teams went through ups and downs, but the rivalry remained intense.
One of the most unforgettable moments came in 2003, when the Chiefs hosted the Raiders on Monday Night Football. It was pouring rain, the game was sloppy, and both teams were battling in a classic, old-school showdown.
With time winding down, Chiefs running back Priest Holmes punched in the game-winning touchdown, sending the Arrowhead crowd into an absolute frenzy. The broadcast showed Raiders fans looking miserable in the rain, and Chiefs fans still talk about that moment today.
The 2010s: The Return of the Chiefs
By the time Andy Reid arrived in 2013, the Chiefs were ready to dominate again. And dominate they did.
From 2013 to 2023, the Chiefs won 17 of 20 matchups, including some of the most lopsided victories in the rivalry’s history. The arrival of Patrick Mahomes in 2018 took things to another level, with the Chiefs regularly embarrassing the Raiders, including a 41-14 beatdown in Las Vegas in 2021.
That game featured one of the most disrespectful rivalry moments ever—before the game, the Raiders gathered on the Chiefs’ logo at midfield, trying to send a message. Kansas City responded by obliterating them for four quarters, proving once again that Arrowhead is no place for Raiders swagger.
The Future of the Rivalry
The Chiefs have controlled the rivalry in recent years, but the bad blood remains. The Raiders’ move to Las Vegas hasn’t changed a thing—Chiefs fans still pack Allegiant Stadium every time the teams play.
As long as these two teams are in the same division, the hate will never fade. Chiefs Kingdom still relishes every chance to beat the Raiders, and every game is another chapter in one of the NFL’s greatest rivalries.
One thing is certain: Chiefs vs. Raiders will always be must-watch football.
