The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night with a chance to make a real statement in primetime against a division rival.
The Las Vegas Raiders came out of their bye week and laid an egg, going on the road and taking on the lowly New York Giants and losing. That game was a tough one, as they moved the ball well between the 20s, but could not get it done in the red zone, while Derek Carr also had way too many turnovers.
While that loss was a bad one, you have to look at the big picture, and despite everything that has happened to this team off the field, they are still 5-3, and well within the playoff race. In fact, they have a golden opportunity to show the world that they are legitimate contenders to win the AFC West this season, as they play host to the hated Kansas City Chiefs in a Sunday Night Football matchup in primetime.
Raiders navigating a roller coaster of a 2021 season
This has been a roller coaster of a season for the Raiders, who have played well on the field, posting a three-game win streak to open the year, and then putting together two nice wins before the bye week. It has also been a nightmare outside of the white lines, with Jon Gruden’s resignation, the fatal car crash involving Henry Ruggs III, and the release of another 2020 first-round pick, Damon Arnette.
Despite all of this, the Raiders still have a chance to dominate a divisional opponent in primetime, showing the world that they are for real. Kansas City has not looked like the world-beaters they have been in recent years, and Patrick Mahomes has played some shaky football, which could make this matchup a favorable one for the Silver and Black at home.
Las Vegas Raiders at New York Giants: 3 Studs, 3 Duds in Week 9
The Las Vegas Raiders went into MetLife stadium in first place in the AFC West to face the New York Giants and left with a loss fell to 5-3 on the year.
The past is the past, and the Raiders will one day look back at how crazy this season was, but for now, they have to look forward at the opponent in front of them. Kansas City is ripe for a beatdown, and the Raiders have the talent to do so, making this Week 10 matchup must-watch television in primetime.