Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Chiefs in 2022 Week 5

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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 12: Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares to hit Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during a second-quarter play at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Chiefs in 2022 Week 5

The Raider’s defense must hold up on third down

Takeaways will be key in helping get the Raiders offense back on the field, but so will the tried-and-true method of getting stops on third down. Historically, Las Vegas has been plagued by opponents moving the chains on third down. This year, however, the Raiders’ defense has been much better with a 35.42% opponent third-down conversion percentage, which is tied for the 11th best in the league.

But they’ll go up against one of the elite offenses in converting on third downs. Through the first quarter of the season, Kansas City has the third-best third-down conversion percentage at 51.06%. It’s not hard to imagine why given the number of weapons Mahomes has at his disposal.

That only heightens the importance of Las Vegas holding their own on third-down situations, in particular on third-and-long. If the Silver and Black can force Kansas City off the field on third down, it should only play into their hands of winning the time of possession battle as well.

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