Las Vegas Raiders at Chiefs 2022 Week 5: Bold Predictions

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws under pressure from defensive end Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs during their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws under pressure from defensive end Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs during their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 12: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches the ball and is tackled by Trayvon Mullen Jr. #27 and Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 12: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches the ball and is tackled by Trayvon Mullen Jr. #27 and Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders at Chiefs 2022 Week 5: Bold Predictions

Raiders’ defense limits Kelce to less than 50 yards, and zero TDs

In four of the last five games against the Raiders, Kelce has finished with 90+ receiving yards while finding the endzone twice in the same period. With Tyreek Hill having departed in the offseason, Kelce is the unquestioned number-one target for Mahomes, and the combination of speed and strength makes him a matchup disadvantage for opposing defenses.

He’s historically torched the Silver and Black, in particular with big momentum catches down the stretch of tightly-contested games. But in Week 5, we’re predicting the Raiders to effectively contain Kansas City’s number one receiving threat.

The Raiders have improved (by their historical standards) against the pass, ranking 22nd in passing yards allowed per game (253.8) and 20th in yards allowed per completion (10.9). But we’ve seen this defense step up and play to the caliber of their opponent, and the Chiefs being a historic rival provides an x-factor of motivation. We’re banking that Las Vegas limits Kelce to fewer than 50 yards receiving while keeping him empty in the touchdown column.