The Kansas City Chiefs (8-1, 4-0 away) and Las Vegas Raiders (6-3, 2-2 home) meet up for the second time this season and top two teams in the AFC West standings. Las Vegas downed the Chiefs, 40-32, in a rare home early last month. Kickoff is set for 8:20 P.M. Eastern at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. The Chiefs are an 8.5-point favorite in the Sunday Night Football game.
What to Know – Kansas City Chiefs
Since that home loss to the Raiders, the Chiefs have rolled in every contest, going a perfect 4-0. Kansas City had a close one last week against the Carolina Panthers but outscored the visitors 21-14 in the second half to pull away with a 2-point, 33-31 victory.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns on 30-of-45 passing. Mahomes has thrown nine touchdown passes over the last two games and accumulated 788 yards through the air.
While the air offense was working, the Chiefs were unable to establish a ground game, amassing just 36 yards from scrimmage rushing. Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire carried the ball five times for 14 yards, both season-lows in attempts and yardage.
Travis Kelce (10 catches, 159 yards) and Tyreek Hill (nine catches, 113 yards, two touchdowns) each benefitted from the emphasis through the air. Hill has tallied multiple touchdown catches in his last two games while Kelce set season-highs in receptions and yards.
What to Know – Las Vegas Raiders
Following their victory over the Chiefs, the Raiders suffered a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but have also put together a winning streak with three in a row themselves. Las Vegas took care of the Denver Broncos last week in route to a 37-12 victory.
Contrary to the Chiefs last week, the Raiders used a dominant rushing attack against the Broncos defense. Las Vegas rushed 41 times for 203 yards, led by Josh Jacobs (21 carries, 112 yards, two touchdowns) and Devontae Booker (16 carries, 81 yards, two touchdowns.
Derek Carr managed the offense and put together a quite 16-of-25 passing for 154 yards in a game that emphasized the ground game. Carr has been superb this season in limiting turnovers, with just two interceptions to his name this year.
Tight end Darren Waller (three catches, 37 yards) and rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (three catches, 31 yards) combined for six of the 16 receptions in the minimal passing attack.
The Pick is In
Reports came out that following the victory the Raiders football team took a victory lap around Arrowhead Stadium in the team buses. You can assume that did not sit well with the Chiefs, and the act will serve as extra motivation for the defending champs.
Las Vegas is having an excellent season in their own right and are getting a handful of players back from the COVID-19 list. Kansas City might come out on top, but that’s a lot of points to lay to the host who took care of business against KC early this season.
The Pick: Las Vegas Raiders +8.5.
