Wait. Stop. Check your time zone before you do anything else. Seriously. There is nothing worse than sitting down with a plate of wings only to realize the game started an hour ago or, even worse, you’re staring at a pre-game show for three hours because you forgot the difference between Pacific and Eastern time.
If you are looking for what time is the raiders chiefs game, the kickoff is officially set for 4:25 PM ET.
For the folks out West in Las Vegas, that's a 1:25 PM local start. If you're in Kansas City, you’re looking at 3:25 PM. It's that late-afternoon window that the NFL loves to reserve for its "Game of the Week" style matchups. This isn't just a random slot; it's a prime-time feel without the Sunday Night Football lights. It’s when the sun starts to dip, the shadows on the grass get long, and the intensity usually hits a fever pitch.
Where to Watch the Action
You can catch this one on CBS. Because it’s a late-afternoon game, it’s going to be the lead broadcast for a massive chunk of the country. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are the likely voices you’ll hear, assuming they haven't been flexed elsewhere, though for Raiders-Chiefs, the NFL usually puts their "A-Team" on the call.
Streaming? Yeah, you've got options. If you’re a cord-cutter, Paramount+ is your best friend since it carries the live CBS feed. You can also find it on FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. Just make sure your subscription is active before the coin toss. Nothing kills the vibe like a "forgotten password" spiral while Patrick Mahomes is already orchestrating a 75-yard opening drive.
The Rivalry That Refuses to Cool Down
This isn't just about a clock. It's about history. The Chiefs and Raiders have been at each other's throats since the AFL days of the 1960s. We are talking about Lamar Hunt versus Al Davis. Red and Gold versus Silver and Black. It is visceral.
Most people think the Chiefs have just walked all over the Raiders lately. And sure, the record books show a lot of Kansas City wins in the Mahomes era. But remember Christmas Day 2023? The Raiders went into Arrowhead and absolutely wrecked the holiday for Chiefs Kingdom. They didn't even need an offensive touchdown to do it. That game proved that regardless of the standings, this matchup is a fistfight in a phone booth.
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The Raiders play the Chiefs tough because they have to. It’s in their DNA. Antonio Pierce has made it clear that he wants to bring back those "Raider Rules"—that physical, borderline-nasty style of play that defined the team in the 70s and 80s. When you play Kansas City, you aren't just playing a team; you're playing a system and a superstar quarterback who can make a play out of thin air.
Why the Start Time Actually Matters for Strategy
Football is a game of rhythm. A 1:00 PM ET start feels like a business trip. A 4:25 PM ET start? That feels like an event.
Players talk about this all the time. The extra three hours of waiting in the hotel room can be brutal. Maxx Crosby, the Raiders' defensive heartbeat, is the kind of guy who is probably vibrating with energy by 10:00 AM. For him, waiting until late afternoon is like holding back a landslide. On the other side, Mahomes is famously calm, but even he has noted that the late window allows the crowd to get a little louder, a little rowdier, and a little more "invested" (read: they’ve had more time at the tailgate).
- The Travel Factor: When the Chiefs head to Vegas, they’re dealing with the dry heat and the roaring crowd at Allegiant Stadium.
- The Grass vs. Turf: Allegiant uses a tray system for real grass, which changes the speed of the game compared to some of the faster synthetic surfaces.
- The Play-Calling: Andy Reid is a master of using the "lull" of the second quarter to set up shots in the fourth. With a late start, the game often ends under the lights, which shifts the visibility and the atmosphere.
Breaking Down the Matchup: What to Look For
If you’re tuning in exactly at kickoff, watch the trenches. Everyone wants to talk about the wide receivers or the quarterbacks, but this game is won by the pass rush.
The Raiders' path to victory is singular: hit Mahomes. Not just pressure him—actually put him on the ground. If Crosby and the interior line can't get home, it’s over. Mahomes is too good at manipulating space. He will find Travis Kelce in that weird, soft spot of the zone defense that shouldn't exist but somehow does.
Kansas City’s defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, is a different beast these days. They aren't just a high-flying offense anymore; they are a suffocating defensive unit. They blitz from corners you didn't know were on the field. For the Raiders' quarterback, the pre-snap reads are going to be a nightmare.
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Honestly, the Raiders are the underdog here. They know it. Everyone knows it. But in this rivalry, being the underdog is a badge of honor. They love the "us against the world" mentality. It's basically the franchise's entire personality.
The Odds and the Expectations
Vegas (the city and the bookies) usually favors the Chiefs. It makes sense. They’ve been the gold standard of the NFL for years. But the spread in a Raiders-Chiefs game is often a trap. These games stay close longer than they should.
If you're betting, look at the "under." These divisional battles tend to be grittier and lower-scoring than the national media expects. Both coaching staffs know each other's tendencies so well that the "explosive" plays are harder to come by. It becomes a game of field position and who blinks first on fourth down.
Key Stats to Keep in Mind:
- Turnover Margin: In their last five meetings, the winner has almost always won the turnover battle. Simple, but true.
- Third Down Conversions: The Chiefs usually lead the league here, but the Raiders' defense has a knack for "bend but don't break" stands in the red zone.
- Special Teams: Never discount Dave Toub’s unit in KC. A muffed punt in a rivalry game is a death sentence.
Preparing for Game Day
Don't be the person asking what time is the raiders chiefs game five minutes after the ball has been kicked off.
Set your DVR for an extra hour. NFL games, especially those on CBS with high-profile rivalries, tend to run long. Between the reviews, the commercial breaks, and the inevitable drama, a 4:25 PM ET start can easily push past 7:30 PM.
If you’re hosting a watch party, get the food ready by 4:00 PM ET. You want people settled. You want the TV tuned to the pre-game so you can see the injury reports. Sometimes a key offensive lineman is a late scratch, and that changes the entire complexion of the game. If the Raiders are missing a starting tackle, Mahomes and the Chiefs' defensive front are going to have a field day.
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Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Viewing Experience
To make sure you don't miss a second of the action, follow this quick checklist.
First, confirm your local listings. While CBS is the home for the AFC, occasionally regional markets might shift things. Use an app like the NFL app or Scoreboard to get real-time alerts.
Second, check the weather if the game is in Kansas City. Rain or wind at Arrowhead changes everything. If it's in Las Vegas, the weather is a non-factor inside the dome, but the "fast" track favors the speedsters.
Third, sync your fantasy football lineup. If you’ve got Kelce or any Raiders players, make sure they are active. Divisional games are notorious for "gametime decisions."
Finally, just enjoy it. These two teams genuinely dislike each other. In an era of professional sports where players are often friends off the field, the Raiders and Chiefs still carry a bit of that old-school animosity. It makes for great television.
Confirm your streaming login works now. Check the snacks. Make sure the remote has batteries. The 4:25 PM ET window comes fast, and once it starts, there’s no slowing down. Keep your eyes on the injury wire up until the thirty-minute mark before kickoff for any last-minute changes to the active roster.