So much is seemingly on the line for this young Las Vegas Raiders team in Week 4 versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Although the Silver and Black are further along in their rebuild than even they expected at this juncture, a big AFC West victory would be that cementing "I'm back" moment for the franchise.
And it won't be easy; it never is against Patrick Mahomes and Co. It doesn't help that Kansas City now has an effective run game to lean, either. But Klint Kubiak's team does have some advantages in this contest that they can exploit, and it will take everyone doing their jobs to pull this one off at home.
To gain an even further understanding of the divisional foe coming to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, we snuck behind enemy lines for an interview with the great Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict, our sister FanSided site that covers the Kansas City Chiefs, for this week's edition of Across the Bow.
Preview of Raiders-Chiefs in Week 4 with Arrowhead Addict's Matt Conner
Q: By all accounts, the Kansas City Chiefs are back. What are you seeing in this squad that makes you believe this is the second wave of the dynasty?
A: I wouldn't go so far as to say that. The Chiefs are back in the contender conversation, to be sure, but a dynasty requires a lot and a few thin drafts in a row have robbed the Chiefs of any real dynasty thoughts at this point. That said, Mahomes looks the best he has in years. Kenneth Walker is the catalyst this offense has needed. A wide-open offense will have this team in every game, and Steve Spagnuolo's track record alwasy speaks for itself. If anything, loads of young defenders have time to grow as the season progresses, which means this Chiefs team that the Raiders will see in Week 4 will perform very different in January.
Our take: If he won't say it, I will: this Kansas City team looks like the Chiefs of old, even if the style is different. And maybe I'm just saying that for my psyche so that my bases are covered whether the Raiders win or lose. But I do understand the skepticism after a rough year and only a three-game sample size. This Sunday's game will say a lot about both teams,
Q: Conversely, what have you seen from this Raiders team so far that worries you for Sunday?
A: The Chiefs have no answer for an above average tight end as it is, so trying to limit Brock Bowers and company is a formidable test. The Chiefs pass rush has had issues getting any pressure without sending extra guys, so having an experienced QB to handle the blitz with an upgraded offensive line is a real test overall for the defense.
Our Take: Bowers is a matchup nightmare for everyone, and it seems like that is particuarly true for a new-look Kansas City secondary. And Kirk Cousins has been remarkably good against the blitz, but Spags always has a trick up his sleeve. This will be a fun chess match to watch.
Q: Kenneth Walker III seems to have (predictably) transformed the Chiefs' offense. He was slowed down last weekend, though, so what should the Raiders replicate from the Dolphins' game plan to have similar success?
A: The Dolphins win was the first time that any defense has truly keyed in on Walker, but that's when the passing game clicked. Rashee Rice had his best game so far. Travis Kelce had big moments as well. It's a pick-your-poison offense at this point. The Chiefs offense shot themselves in the foot multiple times with penalties and drops and a deflected pass from Rice that turned into an interception. Plus a missed FG. Otherwise that score versus Miami would have been in the mid-30s.
Our take: Ah, picking your poison is always fun. In all seriousness, this Raiders team has punished their foes for mistakes, so hopefully it is more of the same on Sunday against the Chiefs. The run defense does worry me a bit, but maybe a young Rob Leonard has some aces in the hole.
Q: The left side of the line in Kansas City looks a bit shaky. What is your confidence level in UDFA rookie Khalil Benson and Kingsley Suamataia to slow down a Las Vegas front near the top of the league in pressures and sacks?
A: Very low. Suamataia is a nice player who has turned into a steady, very good presence next to Creed Humphrey. But Benson is learning on the fly and struggled more than ever in Week 3. The Chiefs won't have Josh Simmons once again, which means Benson versus Maxx Crosby and company—the Raiders will feast a few times.
Our take: Crosby will mainly, if not exclusively, line up over the right tackle. So, it'll be on Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce to win. In Week 1, Paye won big. In Weeks 2 and 3, Koonce won big. Let's hope that at least one of them can get home frequently against Benson. Watching tape makes me feel uber-confident that they will.
Q: What do you think Steve Spagnuolo's plan could be for slowing down Brock Bowers?
A: Chamarri Conner is back from an injured knee and makes his season debut in the secondary, so Spags has his starting trio to work with for the first time. That should help. But linebacker is a real weak spot and I dont' think there really is an answer at all. I think it's about disrupting timing, trying to get a quick push, and then hoping to tip a pass or two at the LOS.
Our take: Linebackers covering Bowers is a thing of the past, or at least it should be. They may have a hard time on Michael Mayer, even. But very true that the key to limiting Bowers doesn't lay in doing anything to slow him down, but preventing the ball from getting to him in the first place. Kubiak needs to be ready.
Q: The Chiefs' pass rush is much better than the pure sack numbers indicate. What has made the group so effective, and what is the key to finally getting home in Week 4?
A: Spags mixes it up well which keeps the pressure on at all times. Chris Jones is the engine, but he's dealing with a lingering calf injury which has lowered his snap counts. But R Mason Thomas has the second-best pass rush win rate among rookies. Peter Woods is the successor to Jones who was drafted in the first round. George Karlaftis is the relentless power rusher who gets through a few times a game. There's more depth here than there has been in five seasons.
Our take: Keeping these guys out of the pocket and the backfield will be a tall task for a much-improved but still imperfect offensive line in Las Vegas. Caleb Rogers is realy being thrown into the fire with Jackson Powers-Johnson out, and a new cog in the machine could play a big factor.
Q: If you could, name one underrated player (or someone fans aren't talking about enough) on your roster that you think could cause problems for the Raiders on Sunday.
A: Mansoor Delane is the early pick, but Nohl Williams is playing lights out. Chiefs fans already love him, but the whole NFL should be aware that he's playing All-Pro football through three weeks. If Delane settles in, the Chiefs have a top-10 tandem and perhaps top-five, which feels crazy after losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson last spring.
Our take: As a Cal Bears fan, Nohl Williams was very much on my radar, and perhaps that fact played a role in me writing about him earlier this week. But he's far from a household name and certainly one to watch, so heed my words or Conner's. Or just watch the game and hope you hear his name just after "Bowers gets by..."
Q: How on earth is Travis Kelce still good?
A: He's Swifter than ever.
Our take: Nice.
And Taylor Swift is awesome, but she's getting no streams from me this week!
Q: Lastly, what is your final score prediction?
A: The Chiefs are getting healthier, with Chamarri Conner making his debut on Sunday. That's huge for a struggling safety position, and I just don't think I'll buy Cousins over Mahomes at any point in '26. Chiefs 24, Raiders 19
Our take: Matt, I should have warned you that the last three site experts I interviewed all picked their teams as well, to no avail. Or perhaps I left out that key bit of information to keep the streak alive. To send good vibes Las Vegas' way, I've got the Raiders winning 28-24.
If they lose, it'll be on a last-minute Mahomes drive, 31-28 Chiefs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google