Chiefs’ keys to the game vs. Raiders: Start fast on offense, corral pesky Josh Jacobs
Sparks are sure to fly when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Oakland Raiders (6-5) Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
The two storied franchises are set to clash for the 119th time, with the Chiefs, 7-4, holding a 64-52-2 edge in the all-time series over the Raiders, 6-5. The Chiefs are also in position to secure a 65th victory over the Raiders, a mark that would represent their most regular-season all-time wins over an opponent.
But there’s plenty at stake besides divisional-rivalry bragging rights.
A Chiefs win would go a long way in shaping out the AFC West. The Chiefs would open a two-game lead over the Raiders as the NFL enters the home stretch of the regular season.
The bottom line here for the Chiefs? Take care of business in front of the home crowd.
Here are four key areas to monitor for the Chiefs, who are coming off a bye week.
Start fast
Patrick Mahomes is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks and he showed why against the Raiders in Week 2.
Down 10-0 after the first quarter, Mahomes and Co. woke up in the second quarter to the tune of four touchdown passes, all coming from long distance, to help the Chiefs secure a 28-10 win. And Mahomes did that damage without wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who missed the game with a shoulder injury.
The Raiders could be primed to give up a fast start to the Chiefs this time around.
For one thing, the Raiders are coming off an embarrassing 34-3 loss to the New York Jets in a game where Jets quarterback Sam Darnold shredded the Oakland pass defense with 315 yards and two touchdowns.
Second, the Raiders are a dismal 1-4 on the road this season, which sets up the final point.
The Raiders historically haven’t enjoyed success at Arrowhead, posting a 19-28 record at the world’s loudest stadium.
The Chiefs had a bye to fix their Week 11 offensive woes, which included Mahomes throwing for just 182 yards. He could have a field day against the league’s 28th-ranked pass defense.
Oh, and an obligatory friendly reminder that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is a remarkable 17-3 when coming off a bye.
Chiefs’ defense against RB Josh Jacobs
The Chiefs have had well-documented issues against the run this season and enter this contest ranked 30th in that department, allowing 143.1 yards per game. They’re also 28th in rushing touchdowns allowed (12).
Jacobs, the second of Oakland’s two first-round picks in this year’s NFL Draft, has been everything the Raiders had hoped he would be.
The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Jacobs currently ranks fifth in the league in rushing (957 yards) and had success against the Chiefs in Week 2, totaling 99 yards rushing on 12 carries.
The difference this time around, and one that should lean in the Chiefs’ favor, surrounds the presence of Chiefs linebacker Reggie Ragland, who is stout against the run. Ragland was somehow inactive in Week 2, but he’s been firmly entrenched with the starting 4-3 base defense alongside Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson since Week 7.
While Ragland played just 17 snaps in Week 11 against a Los Angeles Chargers team that utilized a lot of three-wide receiver sets, the linebacker should be plenty active Sunday against the Raiders’ running game, which currently ranks 12th in the league.
Sunday could see numerous clashes between two former Alabama players when Ragland meets Jacobs in the hole.
Rattle QB Derek Carr
The Raiders’ passing game ranks 16th in the league, averaging 266.8 yards per game, while the Chiefs have been steady against the pass this season and rank 14th (232.6 yards allowed per game).
Carr holds a 2-9 career record against the Chiefs. He has thrown for 2,511 career yards against them, averaging 228.2 yards per game, with 14 touchdowns ans 11 interceptions. The Chiefs have also sacked Carr 30 times, including 12 times over the past four games.
The Raiders’ signal-caller is coming off a game in which he completed 15 of 27 passes for 127 yards and an interception. He was sacked four times en route to a 52.5 passer rating in New York.
The Jets showed how to rattle Carr, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs spent some time during their bye week looking closely at that game film.
Take advantage of red-zone trips
The Chiefs’ offense checks plenty of boxes as one of the league’s elite, ranking third in total yards (396.1 per game), second in passing (301.7 yards per game), fourth in scoring (28 points per game) and fifth in third-down efficiency (45.3 percent).
But for all that, the Chiefs are somehow bad in punching it in from inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. How bad? The Chiefs are tied for 23rd in the league in red-zone touchdown percentage, converting just 50 percent of their chances.
Those woes can be addressed Sunday against an Oakland defense that ranks 31st in the league in red-zone touchdown percentage (64.9).
This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 5:00 AM.
