Tyreek Hill leads our list of players to watch in Sunday’s KC Chiefs showdown in Vegas
When Dave Toub affixes his seal of approval to a special teams performance, you know it was good.
As we discuss players to watch when the Chiefs meet the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football, let’s start with a nod to the Chiefs’ kicking, return and coverage teams after their performance in last weekend’s 13-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
From Tommy Townsend’s six punts that averaged 56.8 yards, to Alex Okafor’s field-goal block, to Willie Gay Jr. demonstrably indicating that one of Thompson’s punts grazed the foot of a Packers return man, it was a great day for the Chiefs’ special teams.
Oh, and Harrison Butker nailed a 55-yard field goal on a windy afternoon. Yes, it all went well.
“I was really happy,” Toub said. “They did a great job, they played extremely hard, we made plays when the plays were there.”
Plus, it happened in a close game when the offense was sputtering. The outcome marked the first time the Chiefs won a game scoring as few as 13 points since beating the Chargers 10-3 in 2015.
Here are some Chiefs and Raiders, other than Patrick Mahomes and Derek Carr, who could make a difference Sunday night.
Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill
It’s been hit or miss for Hill this season. He’s had a couple of monster games, but his 11.4 yards per reception is tracking as his lowest since his rookie season in 2016. Defenses have taken away the deep ball, but Mahomes took a couple of deep shots against the Packers. Perhaps he’ll hit one with Hill against the Raiders.
Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens
The play of youngsters Nick Bolton and Gay has impressed, but coordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves the experience and knowledge that Hitchens brings to the defense. “You guys know how much I value Hitch and his reliability,” Spagnuolo said. “When he goes out there, he makes the other 10 better. We’ve (also) got some young linebackers that are running around doing a good job.”
Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson
Andy Reid’s former Pro Bowl receiver from his Philadelphia Eagles days is now a Raider. Vegas picked him up after his release by the Rams. In L.A., Jackson got just 15 targets with eight receptions, but he averaged 27.6 yards per catch. The Raiders needed to fill that position after cutting Henry Ruggs III, but no one outside the team facility really knows how much Jackson will be used against the Chiefs. Can he do some damage against his former coach?
Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue
Maxx Crosby is having an excellent season on one side of the line, and Ngakoue isn’t far behind on the other. Getting pressure against tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and whoever lines up for the Chiefs on the right side will be key for the Raiders. Las Vegas doesn’t blitz much, and the Chiefs aren’t blitzed often. The Raiders’ defensive ends will look to disrupt Mahomes and the offense.