How the KC Chiefs can secure a home victory against the Las Vegas Raiders Monday night
The Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders are set to do battle once again in an AFC West showdown on Monday Night Football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs (3-1) and Raiders (1-3) have met 126 times, including the regular and postseason. The Chiefs hold a 70-54-2 edge in the all-time series, which includes a sweep of the Raiders in the annual two-game series in 2021.
But for all the talk of a rivalry between these two storied franchises, it’s been anything but competitive in recent seasons.
Since Andy Reid arrived in KC in 2013, the Chiefs are 15-3 against the Raiders, a span that includes quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 7-1 mark since taking over as the Chiefs’ starter in 2018. In their past three wins, the Chiefs have averaged a healthy 41.3 points per game against Las Vegas.
Will it continue? Here are four key areas to consider for the Chiefs, who look to improve to 4-1.
CONTAIN ADAMS
Like the other teams in the AFC West, the Raiders spent time during the offseason adding high-profile players to their roster with hopes of better competing with the Chiefs.
Enter wide receiver Davante Adams, a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection who joined Las Vegas via a trade with the Green Bay Packers. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Adams is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite pass catchers, and he ranks among the top AFC wide receivers with 26 receptions. He has caught a touchdown pass in three of the Raiders’ first four games this season.
Since joining the league in 2014 as a second-round pick with the Packers, Adams has totaled 695 catches for 8,411 yards and 76 touchdowns. He currently has 26 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
“Definitely a game-wrecker type of player,” Chiefs safety Justin Reid said of Adams. “You need to know where he is at all times.”
The Chiefs shouldn’t have to look too hard because Adams is Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s go-to receiver, evidenced by Adam’s team-high 47 targets. To put that figure in perspective, the second-most targeted Raiders wide receiver is Mack Hollins (25).
There’s also something about primetime games for Adams, who has five career 100-yard receiving games in the national spotlight.
Adams will face a Chiefs pass defense currently ranked 27th in the league (263.8 yards allowed per game). And the Chiefs come off a game where Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans totaled eight catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, however, isn’t deterred because he believes the defense will be ready.
“We just got to do our jobs and execute our plays,” Sneed said. “Just execute our technique, mainly, and that’s all.”
DOMINATE THE TRENCHES
The offensive line played a large role in the Chiefs’ win last week.
With the front five dug in, the Chiefs amassed 417 total yards of offense, including 189 yards on the ground. The Chiefs controlled the game against a stout Buccaneers defense, dominating the time-of-possession war by a wide margin (38 minutes, 48 seconds to 21:22).
“Those guys knew exactly what they were up against, so they took it on themselves and said, ‘Hey, you know what? Let’s make sure we do the things necessary to help us be victorious this week,’” Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said of his offensive line’s performance against the Buccaneers. “I thought those guys, starting with (center) Creed (Humphrey), all did a hell of a job of communicating.”
A repeat performance will do wonders against a weaker Raiders defensive unit.
The Chiefs’ offensive line’s ability to control the trenches will also help running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has found the end zone four total times in three career games against the Raiders.
Meanwhile, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is a formidable task for Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie. But Wylie held his own against his former college teammate last season.
And if Wylie controls Crosby again, the Raiders’ pass rush could be negated when considering they have just five total sacks, which includes Crosy’s four, through four games. Las Vegas’ five sacks rank a dismal 31st in the league.
GO AFTER SECONDARY
If the offensive line does its part, Mahomes will enjoy time in the pocket to pick apart a pass defense ranked 22nd in the league (253.8 yards allowed per game).
Mahomes will give respect to the Raiders defense, but history shows he feasts on this specific opponent.
In eight games against the Raiders, the Chiefs’ star quarterback has totaled 2,546 yards passing (318.3 yards per game), 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
Mahomes also damaged the Raiders with his legs, gaining 134 total yards rushing with two touchdowns on 29 carries.
AVOID A LETDOWN
In Week 3, the Chiefs were caught flat-footed in a stunning 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Chiefs obviously rebounded, posting a resounding 41-31 win over Tampa Bay in Week 4. And now they need to maintain that momentum because of what awaits them in Week 6.
The Raiders are a team the Chiefs are supposed to defeat. In two games last season, the Chiefs outscored the Raiders by an 89-23 margin. Kansas City must take care of business Monday night, and then look forward to hosting the Buffalo Bills the following week in an AFC heavyweight showdown.
