Another week, another big game for the Chiefs, who head to Vegas this week for the first time with fans in the seats. With all four AFC West teams essentially tied through 10 weeks, every divisional game the rest of the way is going to feel like a must-win game (and probably is!). Here are the three matchups to watch this weekend when the Chiefs and Raiders face off:
Maxx Crosby vs. Whoever The Chiefs Play At Right Tackle
The Chiefs have some real issues on the right side of their line heading into Sunday night’s game. Both Mike Remmers and Lucas Niang missed Wednesday and Thursday practices with, respectively, knee and rib issues – Friday’s injury report will be telling, but it’s not unrealistic to expect the Chiefs to be without both this weekend. There’s some speculation that Kyle Long could return to play there, though it seems more likely that 3rd-stringer Prince Tega Wanogho will get the nod. Either way, it’ll be a glaring mismatch against Raiders’ edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who Pro Football Focus ranks 2nd among 110 edge rushers this season. Crosby has seven sacks, 12 QB hits, and 31 QB hurries in 271 pass rushing opportunities this season, and his pass rush Win% (27%) ranks second – only Cleveland’s Myles Garrett has a higher one. Expect a lot of tight end and running back help on the right side this weekend.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Casey Hayward Jr.
Mahomes made (mini) waves this week by doubling down on his plan to continue throwing deep this season, despite the team’s struggles with turnovers and offensive production in general. If that’s going to work on Sunday, he’ll have to beat Hayward Jr. – who’s having an elite season so far – at least a couple times. Easier said than done: the Raiders corner has only allowed 11 receptions on 23 targets for 122 yards and no touchdowns. His reception percentage (48%) ranks third highest in the NFL – he and nickel corner Nate Hobbs are the two best players in a secondary that’s otherwise pretty average (17th in pass defense DVOA).
DeSean Jackson vs. Charvarius Ward
This could really be any of the Chiefs corners, but we’ll just go with Ward. It’ll be Jackson’s first game with the Raiders, who signed him this week after he and the Rams agreed to part ways earlier in the season. He’s getting up there in age, but at 34, Jackson can still fly and stretch secondaries vertically with the best of them. You’re well aware by now that the Chiefs have one of the worst pass defenses in the league this season (27th in DVOA), and the Raiders love to push the ball down field. Given how the offense is playing, getting into a track race with a divisional opponent on the road probably isn’t the ideal gameplan – shutting down Jackson on his exciting Vegas debut would probably go a long way towards avoiding that.
