Raiders Face Breakout Chiefs LB Chenal

The Las Vegas Raiders will have to monitor Kansas City Chiefs' linebacker Leo Chenal, who is having a stellar season.

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to improve offensively to keep pace in the AFC playoff hunt.

On Sunday, they will get their first shot at their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has been excellent defensively. The Chiefs are fourth in the NFL in total defense and third in scoring defense.

Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the league with the Chiefs, and he has another fabulous unit in 2023.

The Chiefs’ defense has greatly benefited from its young players, as several rookie and second-year players have been impressive.

One of those players is linebacker Leo Chenal, who his having a breakout season. Chenal is fifth on the team in tackles and has been a major force in stopping the run.

Chenal was a third-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. Since his rookie season, Chenal has cemented himself as a critical piece on the Chiefs’ defense and should be a cornerstone in the future.

In his rookie season, Chenal posted 35 total tackles, three tackles for losses and a sack. Through 10 games this season, Chenal has 44 total tackles, six tackles for losses and three sacks. His jump in production has been a significant reason why the Chiefs’ defense has been so impressive in 2023.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal has been a significant contributor on defense in his second season / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chenal is an old-school linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, and plays hard-nosed, run-stopping style of football. He is a player the Chiefs like to send on blitzes after the ball carrier on running plays.

The Raiders are looking to get their running game going, and Chenal will try to stop them from getting into a rhythm. He has become one of the top players on this Chiefs’ defense that has stopped several opponents from running against them.

The Raiders and rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell know they need to move the ball more efficiently than they have in recent weeks to win games and keep pace in the playoff hunt.

Chenal and this excellent Chiefs defense will try to prevent the Raiders from doing that, so Interim Coach Antonio Pierce must devise a game plan that stops Chenal from making a massive impact. 

The Silver and Black will return home this week to celebrate Thanksgiving and take on their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 26, at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST.

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