Raiders Trying to Play Spoiler, Chiefs Seeking Second Straight Win
Las Vegas Raiders Eye Upset in Kansas City, Chiefs Pursue Second Consecutive Victory
This Black Friday, the NFL heats up with an intriguing matchup between AFC West rivals, as the Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs (10-1) in a standalone afternoon game. The Raiders, currently at the bottom of their division, are desperate to snap their seven-game losing streak and spoil the Chiefs’ efforts to secure another victory. Meanwhile, Kansas City is fresh off a nail-biting 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers and is focused on extending their impressive season record.
The Chiefs have dominated the series recently, holding a 72-54-2 advantage in their all-time regular season matchups, including a 27-20 win when these teams met earlier this season on October 27th. With playoff positioning heating up, both teams have something to prove in this pivotal AFC West battle.
Las Vegas Raiders: Playing for Pride and Spoilers
The Raiders find themselves in a difficult spot, sitting in last place in the AFC West with a 2-9 record. They’re coming off a 29-19 home loss to the Denver Broncos, where they failed to cover the 5-point spread. Despite holding a slight advantage in total offense (369 yards to Denver’s 325), turnovers and missed opportunities ultimately led to another disappointing loss. The Raiders have now lost seven straight games, the longest active losing streak in the AFC.
Las Vegas is struggling on both sides of the ball. The Raiders are ranked 16th in the NFL in passing offense, averaging 218 yards per game, but rank dead last in the league (32nd) in rushing offense, managing only 74.6 yards per contest. Their scoring offense is similarly lackluster, coming in at 26th in the NFL with just 18.7 points per game.
Quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell have seen their share of action this season. Minshew has thrown for 2,013 yards and 9 touchdowns, but with 10 interceptions and 29 sacks against him, the Raiders’ offensive line has been inconsistent. The team’s rushing attack has struggled, despite contributions from Alexander Mattison (320 yards, 3 TDs), Zamir White, and Ameer Abdullah.
Defensively, the Raiders are ranked 29th in scoring defense, allowing 28.5 points per game. They’ll need a herculean effort from their defense to slow down the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. Defensive leaders like Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson will need to apply pressure on Patrick Mahomes if they hope to have a chance to keep this game competitive.
Kansas City Chiefs: Eyes on a Playoff Push
The Chiefs enter this matchup as one of the NFL’s elite teams, boasting a 10-1 record and sitting atop the AFC West. After their first loss of the season to the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City bounced back with a dramatic 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Patrick Mahomes threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns, while Spencer Shrader drilled a game-winning 31-yard field goal as time expired.
Offensively, the Chiefs are led by Mahomes, who has thrown for 2,673 yards and 18 touchdowns so far in 2024. Despite his impressive stats, the Chiefs’ offense has been inconsistent, ranking 12th in passing yards (226.5 per game) and 18th in rushing (116.3 yards per game). The Chiefs’ top receiver, Travis Kelce, has caught 68 passes for 589 yards and two touchdowns, and Rashee Rice (288 yards, 2 TD) continues to emerge as a reliable target.
Defensively, the Chiefs rank 9th in the league in scoring defense, allowing just 19.8 points per game. Chris Jones and Frank Clark have been dominant up front, while the secondary, led by L’Jarius Sneed, has been solid. Kansas City has given up an average of 334 yards per game but remains stingy in the red zone, which could be key in stopping the Raiders’ sporadic offensive attack.
Conclusion
Kansas City is the clear favorite in this AFC West showdown, but the Raiders have the talent to cause an upset if they can play disciplined football and avoid mistakes. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are tough to beat at home, but the Raiders’ defense will need to step up if they want to keep this game close. Chiefs win, but Las Vegas may make it interesting for a while. Kansas City 31, Las Vegas 21.
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