Kansas City Chiefs (6-0) will face off against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EDT, broadcasted on CBS. The Chiefs are currently favored by 9.5 points according to BetMGM’s NFL odds. With a record against the spread of 5-1 for the Chiefs and 3-4 for the Raiders, the matchup is set to be intriguing. Historically, the Chiefs lead the series 71-54-2, although the Raiders secured a victory over the Chiefs in their last clash, winning 20-14 in Kansas City on December 25.
In their most recent games, the Chiefs triumphed over the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 28-18, while the Raiders suffered a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Rams, finishing 20-15. Evaluating team statistics, the Chiefs’ offense ranks 10th overall, boasting a rush and pass ranking of 10 and 12, respectively, along with a scoring rank of 13. In contrast, the Raiders’ offense sits at 26th overall, with a rush rank of 30 and a scoring rank also at 26.
The defensive stats tell a similar story; the Chiefs rank 10th overall defensively, with a strong rush defense ranking at 4th and a scoring defense at 5th. The Raiders, however, rank 11th overall defensively but struggle against the run at 23rd, and their scoring defense is 29th. In terms of turnover differential, the Chiefs sit at minus-3, while the Raiders are at a concerning minus-13.
On the Chiefs’ side, defensive tackle Chris Jones is a standout player to watch. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce noted that multiple blockers will be needed to contain him, highlighting his continued dominance in the game. Jones is recognized by Chiefs coach Andy Reid as playing at an MVP-caliber level defensively, illustrating his determination to excel.
For the Raiders, DE Maxx Crosby is a key player, finally appearing to recover from a high ankle sprain. Despite earlier injuries, Crosby has consistently contributed, achieving at least half a sack in nearly every game this season, and his current 6.5 sacks have him on track to eclipse his career-best of 14.5 from the previous year.
A pivotal match-up to keep an eye on is the Chiefs’ offensive line against the Raiders’ defensive front. Kansas City’s offensive line is rated among the best in the NFL, particularly noted for their effective run-blocking. On the other hand, the Raiders are contending with injuries on their defensive line, which places additional pressure on key players like Crosby and linebacker Robert Spillane.
In terms of injuries, the Chiefs have some concerns, including wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster who is dealing with a hamstring issue, while running back Kareem Hunt has not fully participated in practice due to a hip problem. Chargers wide receiver Jakobi Meyers appears set to return after missing two games due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, the Raiders face issues on the offensive line with tight end Harrison Bryant, tackle Kolton Miller, and guard Dylan Parham all sidelined in practice.
Continuing with series history, the Raiders are the last team to have defeated the Chiefs, a streak that has since prompted Kansas City to string together 12 consecutive wins, including a Super Bowl title. Before this losing encounter, the Chiefs had won six straight against the Raiders and dominated in 11 of the last 12 matchups.
Statistically, the Chiefs have performed well in their last ten regular-season road games against the Raiders, boasting an 8-2 record. In their latest matchup, Kansas City’s defense notably intercepted 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy three times, which was their first three-interception game since 2020. Additionally, Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman had a productive outing with 110 all-purpose yards, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to further his touchdown count to surpass Len Dawson’s franchise record.
On the Raiders’ front, tight end Brock Bowers is showing promise as a rookie, leading tight ends in several significant receiving categories. Defensive back Jakorian Bennett has also demonstrated impressive coverage capabilities, limiting completion rates against him significantly.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, the Chiefs defense stands out as a worthwhile selection, given their strong performance and the struggles of the Raiders’ offense to score during their recent losing streak. This matchup promises to be an engaging confrontation, filled with potential highlights and significant plays.