Pete Banaszak (40) with running interference from teammates Gene Upshaw (63) and Wayne Hawkins (65) of the Oakland Raiders, rambles around end in the game against Kansas City Chiefs. Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
Kansas City, Nov. 23 – A changing of the guard occurred on Thanksgiving Day as the Oakland Raiders defeated the defending AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs by a decisive margin of 35-14. The game was not really that close. The Raiders defense hounded Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson who threw four interceptions in the second half. Oakland ran out to a 21-0 lead as the Chiefs could not mount any type of threat against the Raider defense. Finally in the waning moments of the first half, Dawson marched the Chiefs 80 yards down field on 11 plays for a touchdown. Curtis McClinton scored on a 25 yard reception from Dawson.
The Chiefs received the opening kickoff of the second half, but could not seize on the momentum they gained going into the locker room. A holding penalty set the Chiefs back, and they failed to gain a first down. Wayne Walker’s punt was short, and Raider quarterback Daryle Lamonica was given a short field to work. After three rushes, Lamonica went to the air and finally connected with Fred Biletnikoff for a two yard score. It was Lamonica’s third touchdown pass, and Biletnikoff’s second touchdown reception. Oakland put the game out of reach on the Chiefs’ next possession as Warren Powers intercepted Dawson’s 3rd and 7 attempt to Otis Taylor. Powers raced 33 yards for a touchdown and a 35-7 Oakland lead.
Chiefs’ rookie kicker Jan Stenerud missed a 37 yard field goal, and the Chiefs seemingly panicked. Dawson was intercepted by Rodger Bird on the first play of the Chiefs’ subsequent possession as Dawson tried to force a long pass to Taylor. The Chiefs scored on their first possession of the fourth quarter, but a pair of Dawson interceptions choked off any remaining Kansas City hopes of returning to the AFL playoffs. Oakland defeated Kansas City 20-14 in week three, and this victory all but assures the AFL Western Division title for Coach John Rauch and the Raiders.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oakland Raiders | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 35 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Scoring Plays | Raiders | Chiefs | ||
| 1st Quarter | ||||
| Raiders | 10:33 | W.Wells 23 yard pass from D.Lamonica ( G.Blanda kick ) ( 8-87, 4:27 ) | 7 | 0 |
| 2nd Quarter | ||||
| Raiders | 10:43 | F.Biletnikoff 11 yard pass from D.Lamonica ( G.Blanda kick ) ( 11-56, 5:30 ) | 14 | 0 |
| Raiders | 2:37 | C.Daniels 3 yard run ( G.Blanda kick ) ( 9-37, 5:39 ) | 21 | 0 |
| Chiefs | 0:06 | C.McClinton 25 yard pass from L.Dawson ( J.Stenerud kick ) ( 11-80, 2:31 ) | 21 | 7 |
| 3rd Quarter | ||||
| Raiders | 8:50 | F.Biletnikoff 2 yard pass from D.Lamonica ( G.Blanda kick ) ( 8-44, 4:42 ) | 28 | 7 |
| Raiders | 7:38 | W.A.Powers 33 yard interception return ( G.Blanda kick ) | 35 | 7 |
| 4th Quarter | ||||
| Chiefs | 12:19 | B.Coan 11 yard pass from L.Dawson ( J.Stenerud kick ) ( 8-90, 2:33 ) | 35 | 14 |
| MVP: Daryle Lamonica QB (Oakland) |
| Passing: 162 Yds, 3 TD, 130 Rating. |