Every week, the Las Vegas Raiders face a tougher challenge to prove themselves as surprise contenders after four consecutive losing seasons. On Sunday, they can claim sole possession of first place in the AFC West with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Beyond the biggest discussions around running back Ashton Jeanty's workload and right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson's groin injury, which will sideline him for Week 4, a few storylines are flying under the radar.
The Raiders know they must slow down league-leading rusher Kenneth Walker III, but let's discuss where their run stops will matter most and who can help them. Also, in addition to our key matchups against the Chiefs, Kirk Cousins can target a struggling defensive back in Kansas City's secondary.
Three details to monitor in Raiders' matchup against the Chiefs
Raiders must tighten up generous red-zone defense
Entering Sunday's contest, Las Vegas fields a mediocre run defense, which ranks 20th in yards allowed, but the unit has a much bigger problem in the red zone.
The Raiders have surrendered seven touchdowns on nine of their opponent's red-zone trips, which ranks 27th across the league. Against the run-heavy Chiefs, who can finish drives with Kenneth Walker III, the defense must show more resistance inside their own 20-yard line. The Raiders can't rely on late-drive takeaways to bail them out.
By the way, Patrick Mahomes has shown that he has no problem tucking the ball and taking it in for six himself. If Las Vegas pulls off a goal-line stop or two, it would be crucial in this matchup.
Will Thomas Booker IV play an expanded role in Week 4?
The Raiders field an aggressive defensive line that's made quarterbacks miserable in the pocket. Now, that group has to penetrate and take down a running back who refuses to go down on initial contact.
Walker has broken 10 tackles, averaging one per 6.5 attempts. Rob Leonard can beef up the interior of the defensive line by giving Thomas Booker IV more snaps. He only missed 4.5% of his tackling attempts last season. The rotational defensive lineman put together a solid 2025 campaign, logging 44 tackles (16 solo and one for loss).
Booker has played fewer than 39% of the defensive snaps in three games this season. Don't be surprised if he sees a moderate uptick in time on the field as another defender who can slow down Walker.
Targeting CB L'Jarius Sneed in the slot
The Chiefs' sixth-ranked pass defense has a weakness in the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, L'Jarius Sneed has played 60 snaps as the nickelback, allowing 15 receptions for 126 yards on 18 targets.
The Raiders don't have a dedicated slot pass-catcher. Instead, Klint Kubiak has rotated multiple players at that spot in his offensive formations. That said, it would be advantageous to feature All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in the slot to exploit the weakest link in the Chiefs' pass coverage.
In his season debut last week, Bowers played 18 of his 55 snaps out of the slot, per PFF. He'll be the focal point of the Raiders offense throughout the season, but Kubiak's ability to match him up against opponents' liabilities will be a consistent key to victory.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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