Las Vegas Raiders: 5 challenges team could face in 2020

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders runs the offense against the Denver Broncos int he second quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders runs the offense against the Denver Broncos int he second quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 challenges team could face in 2020

Containing Patrick Mahomes

Las Vegas knows that as the division currently stands, the road to win the AFC West runs through Kansas City, and more accurately in runs through Patrick Mahomes. Fresh off a 10-year contract extension, he’ll be in the division for the long run, which means the Raiders have to figure out how to contain him…or else.

Mike Mayock already made the calculated first move, addressing the defense heavily through free agency. Cory Littleton, Carl Nassib, and Maliek Collins are just a few signings that were made with one goal in mind: having an answer for the Chiefs offense.

The Raiders struggled in coverage last season, especially at the linebacker position, so Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski are major upgrades in that department.

While there’s no guarantee that the Raiders defense can “stop” Patrick Mahomes, they can work towards containing him and most importantly, getting the Kansas City offense off the field. At the end of the day Las Vegas has to put points on the board, and they can’t do that with Patrick Mahomes having his way. It’s up to the new-look defense to change that.