Kansas City brings 3rd-ranked defense against a Las Vegas offense that can’t find its footing

The Kansas City Chiefs are seething from letting a winnable game slip through their hands — or clang off them — on Monday night. That would’ve not only strengthened their foothold over the AFC, but distanced themselves further from the in the division, too.

That’s the team that awaits the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday. And it brings a bevy of areas of concerns for the Silver & Black.

From the Chiefs third-ranked defense, Patrick Mahomes-led offense, and tight end Travis Kelce, Las Vegas will have its hands full in the AFC West clash that can either draw the Raiders closer to the division leader or widen the gap.

“We’re going to deal with that with [Travis] Kelce and probably one of the best quarterbacks in the game in Patrick Mahomes, who we have ultimate respect for, and Andy Reid as a play caller. It’s a good thing for our defense over the last three weeks to do what they’ve been doing. It’s just getting better and better. We’re healthy, guys are flying around, they’re having fun, they’re not blinking. The turnovers have been really critical for us, the guys are just attacking football. You saw that with Nate Hobbs, you see Maxx [Crosby] do it every play, Robert [Spillane] almost had another interception. So, like I told you guys last week, defense travels. I thought they did a good job last week of bringing their lunch pail and getting ready to work, and we’re going to have to do that here at home.”

Another Balanced Rush

The Raiders offense faces another defense that boasts a balance pass rush that can take down a quarterback a variety of ways. The group is led by disruptive defensive tackle Chris Jones (7.5 sacks) and he’s flanked by talented 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis III who has seven sacks on the year.