What the KC Chiefs must do Sunday to avoid falling further behind Raiders in AFC West
At 5-4, the Chiefs find themselves in the odd position of chasing the Las Vegas Raiders (5-3) in the AFC West. But they can close ground with a win Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Raiders have been team tumult the past month, first losing coach Jon Gruden, who resigned over his part in the Washington Football Team email scandal, and then receiver Henry Ruggs, released following his connection with fiery car crash that left another driver dead. Ruggs faces four felony charges and a misdemeanor.
With Gruden gone, Rich Bisaccia has gone 2-1 as interim head coach.
Sunday marks the 122nd meeting between the two storied franchises, with the Chiefs holding a 66-53-2 edge in their all-time series. The Chiefs have won 12 of the last 14 against their divisional rival, but they split their annual two-games series in 2020.
Both of last season’s games were energetic shootouts, the Raiders securing a 40-32 win in Week 5 and the Chiefs beating the Raiders 35-31 win in Week 11.
Here are four areas of concern for the Chiefs this time as they look to build on a two-game winning streak.
LIMIT BIG PLAYS
The Chiefs’ five wins this season came against quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, Taylor Heinicke, Daniel Jones and Jordan Love.
They get a bigger test in Week 10 against Derek Carr, who is passing for an average of 320.6 yards per game and is on pace to throw for 5,450. For reference, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes passed for 5,097 (with 50 touchdowns) in his MVP 2018 season.
With Carr at the helm against the Chiefs last year, the Raiders had 11 explosive plays of 20 or more yards. In those two matchups, Carr completed 45 of 62 passes for 622 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions.
So, he has the Chiefs’ full attention this weekend.
“Derek Carr does a really good job of getting their offense in the best play possible based on what you’re showing him,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “That’s the challenge. ... We have not done well against him the prior two games, so we’re certainly aware of it and putting all our efforts in to make sure that changes.”
Ruggs totaled 24 catches for 469 yards and two touchdowns before his release, but Carr still has weapons in receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller (team-high 40 catches for 470 yards on 64 targets).
The Chiefs’ defense has been coming on over the past two games. They’ll need another good outing against one of the NFL’s top passing offenses Sunday night.
CONTAIN JACOBS
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has two straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but he’s off to a sluggish start this year.
Las Vegas’ ground attack ranks a dismal 27th, averaging 89.4 yards per game. Jacobs has rushed for just 280 yards on 73 carries (3.8 yards per attempt).
But the Chiefs, after a solid performance against the Packers’ potent backfield, can’t be lulled to sleep. Jacobs has enjoyed success against them: 335 yards and three TDs (all last year) in four games.
The Chiefs enter the game ranked 21st against the run, allowing 121.8 yards per game.
GET THE OFFENSE ON TRACK
If there’s a game when Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense need to resemble a well-oiled machine, it’s Sunday.
Both of these teams can keep a scoreboard operator busy, but the Chiefs have scored a combined 34 points over their past three games after averaging 30.8 in their first six.
As with past opponents, the Chiefs can fully expect the Raiders to play their safeties back to take away the deep ball. The Raiders currently rank sixth against the pass (206.9 yards allowed per game).
But Mahomes recently said he’ll continue taking shots down the field, and the Chiefs’ signal-caller has history on his side. He’s averaged 313.6 yards and 2.5 touchdowns in six games against the Raiders.
The Chiefs should find some running room, too. The Raiders’ 28th-ranked run defense is allowing 133.5 yards per game.
WIN IN THE TRENCHES
The Chiefs’ front five, especially at the tackle positions, has double-trouble on its hands in Raiders pass rushers Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby.
Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. will earn his paycheck Sunday against Ngakoue, who has six sacks this season. Things could get dicey at right tackle, because the Chiefs’ two most recent starters at that position are hurt. Mike Remmers (knee) and Lucas Niang (ribs) both missed multiple practices this past week, so veteran Andrew Wylie could draw the start.
Whoever’s at right tackle has the unenviable task of blocking Crosby, who has tallied five sacks so far this fall. Mahomes has been sacked 17 times already this season. As a team, the Raiders have totaled 21 sacks, tied for 11th-most in the league.
The spotlight will be on the Chiefs’ offensive line, for sure.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
