Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs: 3 players to watch in Week 13
1. Josh Jacobs
The Chiefs have a major weakness. It is not quite the exhaust port on the Death Star, but it is a weakness than can be exposed by a team with a good rushing attack. Enter Josh Jacobs, Alec Ingold, and the big men on the Raiders offensive line. Unfortunately, right tackle Trent Brown is questionable for Sunday’s game, but the remainder of the offensive line is surely big enough and talented enough to have their way with the Chiefs defensive front.
When these teams first met in Week 2 Jacobs carried 12 times for 99 yards, including a 51-yard scamper. Jacobs has only gotten better since Week 2, and the Chiefs rushing defense has only seemed to get worse as the season has drawn on. They have given up the third most rushing yards this season, and Jacobs has the fifth most in the league through the first 12 weeks.
On paper, this advantage is game-changing for the Raiders. If they are able to get the rushing attack going it also opens up the play-action passing attack. In addition, if the Raiders are able to run well and maintain extensive drives, the Chiefs offense will be on the sideline. Controlling the clock by running well will be pivotal to beating the Chiefs on Sunday.
Look for Jacobs to get 20 plus touches against Kansas City, if he establishes dominance and runs hard, the Raiders have a real shot at stifling the Chiefs en route to putting themselves in position to win the AFC West.