Chiefs’ history of dominance over Raiders seems likely to continue
The Raiders and Chiefs renew their rivalry on Monday Evening Soccer to shut out Week 5 of the NFL season. And there’s excellent news and unhealthy information for the Raiders heading into this matchup. The unhealthy information is that nobody expects a lot out of Las Vegas on this recreation. That’s additionally the excellent news: the Raiders don’t have anything to lose and may exit and play freely.
Since 2013, Kansas Metropolis has crushed the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders in 15 of their final 18 conferences. All three Raiders wins got here in years the place they missed the postseason. Proper now, it appears to be like just like the Raiders are going to overlook the playoffs once more, so… possibly they are going to pull off the upset over KC?
However based mostly on how the season has performed out to this point, it’ll take a miracle to get it carried out in Kansas Metropolis. The Raiders enter this recreation 1-3, whereas the Chiefs are available 3-1, having misplaced unexpectedly to the Colts a few weeks in the past. Certainly, the Raiders have studied the tape of Indianapolis’ 20-17 victory over KC to see what they did to journey up the Chiefs in that recreation.
After making the playoffs final 12 months, Las Vegas was anticipated to choose up the place it left off and critically compete within the AFC West in 2022, however that has not been the case. The Raiders started the 12 months 0-3 earlier than bouncing again to beat the Broncos final week. A win towards the Chiefs would go a great distance towards salvaging what appeared like a catastrophe of a season till final week. Bettering to 2-3 with a win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would carry the Raiders inside one recreation of KC for the division lead.
For the Chiefs, it’s easy. Andy Reid’s squad must hold doing what they’re doing. They’ve already scored over 40 factors twice of their first 4 video games. Mahomes and his boys put up 41 and 48 in sweeping the Raiders final season. As regular, the Chiefs are considered one of if not essentially the most potent offenses in the complete NFL, averaging 32.3 factors per recreation.
Many individuals thought this Chiefs offense would battle with out Tyreek Hill, however Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy have discovered one other solution to win. Mahomes is spreading the ball round extra, minus Hill. By means of 4 video games, 4 Chiefs receivers have recorded double-digit receptions.
Though the Raiders in all probability don’t wish to get right into a shootout with KC, they won’t have a lot selection. David Carr and Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels ought to be centered on maintaining the Chiefs’ offense sidelined. Ball management would be the key for Las Vegas, as it’s for any crew that performs the Chiefs. Run the ball and create lengthy drives to make Mahomes much less of an element. It’s the identical technique groups used towards Peyton Manning or any all-time nice passer, for that matter. Maintain ‘em off the sphere so long as doable, and also you might need an opportunity.
Realistically, it will doubtless flip right into a blowout. If the Raiders hold this recreation inside two touchdowns, that may be an enchancment over each video games towards the Chiefs final season.
