Today at Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Raiders will try to upset their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite some offensive issues this season, the Chiefs are still 7-3, leading the AFC West, and remain one of the best teams in the league. The Raiders will want to be the spoiler in order to keep their postseason aspirations alive. However, the Chiefs’ offensive struggles cannot be overlooked. They’ve gone three games without scoring a touchdown in the second half, have only one serious receiving threat, and lack considerable depth at running back.
However, the Chiefs still have Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce, so they will always be a threat to score a touchdown. The Raiders are aware of this and must disrupt the Chiefs’ offensive flow in order to pull off the upset. So, how do they accomplish this? It all comes down to the battle in the trenches. The Chiefs’ interior offensive line play is excellent, but their tackles have been subpar this season. Because defensive end Maxx Crosby is questionable for the game, other edge rushers like Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce must step up in his absence.
If the Raiders can generate interior pressure, they will have a better chance. While Mahomes can scramble and make plays on the run, doing it on a regular basis will be considerably more difficult for him.
Another thing the Raiders must do is restrict their running game. Because the Chiefs rely heavily on running back Isiah Pacheco and using some of their wide receivers, they must slow Pacheco down in the backfield.
This will make the Chiefs’ offensive one-dimensional and require Mahomes to rely on his wide receivers, who have not been as effective for him as other receivers in previous years. Kelce will be a viable option, but the Raiders can afford to let him perform if others do not. Slowing down the Mahomes-led Chiefs is never easy, but it appears more likely this year than any before. If the Raiders wish to upset their opponents, they must halt the Chiefs’ offense and give their own offense more chances.
The Silver and Black will return home this week to enjoy Thanksgiving before facing the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, November 26 at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST. Please let us know what you think when you LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE BY CLICKING RIGHT HERE.
