Five things to know about the Kansas City Chiefs’ next opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
Here are two words that should get the juices flowing for Chiefs fans: Raiders week.
Fans will have to wait all day for Sunday night as the game will be on “Sunday Night Football.” The Chiefs will play their second AFC West foe of the season (they already lost to the Chargers).
Each week, I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here are five things to know about Las Vegas before Sunday’s game. Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m., and the game will air on KSHB (Ch. 41)..
1. Nuts and bolts
The Raiders have a 5-3 record and are tied atop the AFC West with the Chargers. The Chiefs and Broncos are a half-game back at 5-4. Las Vegas is the only team in the West with a positive scoring differential.
The Chiefs lead the all-time series 68-54-2, and they have won six of the previous seven meetings.
The Raiders are averaging 24.5 points per game, which is 16th in the NFL while allowing 23.6 points per game, which ranks 15th.
Interim coach Rich Bisaccia has a 2-1 record as Raiders coach since taking over for Jon Gruden, who stepped down last month.
Las Vegas is tied for 12th in the NFL in turnover margin (plus-2) with 10 takeaways and eight giveaways. They’ve only lost one fumble, which came Sunday.
2. A new Raider
The Raiders apparently have found a replacement for wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who was released last week after Las Vegas police said he was involved in a car crash that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor.
According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Raiders have agreed to a deal with DeSean Jackson, who was released by the Rams earlier this month.
In seven games with LA, Jackson had just seven receptions, but it was for 221 yards and a touchdown. Jackson spent eight of his 14 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
3. Carr troubles Sunday
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has completed 67.1% of his throws this season with 2,565 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
In Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Giants, Carr threw two interceptions, including a pick-six, and lost his first fumble of the season.
It was the first time this season that Carr has had multiple turnovers in a single game.
The Raiders’ passing offense is ranked second in the NFL (behind only the Buccaneers), averaging 305.1 yards per game.
4. Running it
Vegas’ rushing offense is 27th in the NFL, averaging 89.4 yards per game. Josh Jacobs missed two games early in the season because of an ankle injury, and he also suffered a chest injury that forced him from a game against the Eagles on Oct. 24.
Jacobs has rushed for 280 yards and five touchdowns, and he is averaging 3.8 yards per attempt.
Kenyan Drake has started two games, rushing for 190 yards in 46 attempts (4.1 ypc).
Las Vegas has struggled in the red zone, scoring a touchdown 53.1% of the time. In Sunday’s loss to the Giants, the Raiders reached the red zone six times. They scored one touchdown, kicked three field goals, missed a field-goal attempt and lost a fumble.
5. The DE-fense
The Raiders blitz less than any NFL team. Pro Football Focus shows they blitz on 11.7% of snaps. But Las Vegas is ranked ninth with 21 sacks.
Vegas’ defensive ends can be a handful. Yannick Ngakoue has a team-high six sacks, while Maxx Crosby has five sacks, 19 quarterback hits and five tackles for loss.
Linebacker Denzel Perryman has a team-best 91 tackles.
The Raiders have just four interceptions this season, but they got one Sunday:
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 8:30 AM.
