Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14

3 of 5

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 19: NaVorro Bowman No. 53 of the Oakland Raiders warms up prior to their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 19, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NaVorro Bowman vs. Kareem Hunt

Veteran inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman has played very well for the Raiders since coming over shortly before the Week 7 game against Kansas City. He was getting lost in a rebuild while with the 49ers. His best game so far this season was the one versus Kansas City in Week 7. Bowman also has the Raiders’ lone interception, which came against the Broncos two weeks ago.

Though a savvy veteran, Bowman will have to do his best to contain Chiefs rookie speedster running back Kareem Hunt. Yes, Bowman and Nicholas Morrow will have to figure out how to stop a huge mismatch in the passing game in tight end Travis Kelce, but limiting the Chiefs on the ground is the best pathway to success for beating Kansas City.

Bowman will have to be a tackling machine on Sunday and probably have to spy Hunt whenever he is in the Kansas City backfield. Teams have figure out how to stop the Chiefs offense. One could argue Bowman’s great Week 7 performance was the blueprint for how to beat a fading Chiefs team.

That being said, this game is at home and this will be the first time Bowman will be playing at raucous Arrowhead Stadium as a part of the Silver and Black. The Raiders are playing better defensively now that John Pagano has taken over play calling on that side of the ball. Here’s to Bowman coming up big against Kansas City for the second time this season.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News