Analysis: This game marked the first time all season that Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith completed three deep passes, as he went 3 for 3 on such throws for 109 yards and a touchdown, according to PFF. He's completed 7 of 13 deep passes for 251 yards and a touchdown the last four games. Smith handled pressure well for the second straight week, as he went 5 of 8 for 106 yards, a touchdown and a sack in such situations. Smith also had success attacking safety Nate Allen, who was in the lineup for starter Karl Joseph, and ball-hawking corner David Amerson. Allen allowed three catches on three targets for 86 yards and a touchdown, while Amerson allowed six catches on seven targets for 110 yards.
One other interesting thing of note is that Smith has only seen pressure on 27.1 percent of his drop backs this season, which is the 26th lowest out of 29 qualifying quarterbacks. This could potentially support the Chiefs' public explanation of Smith's lack of scrambling, which is that teams have been dropping a ton of guys into coverage this season to take away his legs and force him to throw into tight windows.
Analysis: Not much surprise here. Ware continues to command the lion's share of the work, with West pinch-hitting when necessary.
Analysis: Jeremy Maclin played for the first time in over a month and a resumed his role as lead dog among the receivers. It is notable, however, that Tyreek Hill outsnapped Albert Wilson for the first time in six games, and that De'Anthony Thomas logged a season-low in snaps (in games he's been active, at least).
Analysis: Travis Kelce has been targeted 39 times over the last four games; he's also had five of his seven drops during that time span. All five of Kelce's catches Thursday came between the numbers. The Chiefs also turned to Anthony Sherman for a season-high 24 snaps in an effort to play power football on a cold night against the Raiders.
Analysis: This marks the sixth straight game this offensive line has played together. The offensive line surrendered the strip-sack to Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack, but they held up reasonably well against him in both games this season, holding him to two sacks and four quarterback hurries. Jah Reid earned three snaps as a sixth lineman.