How Raiders Can Slow Down Chiefs' Offense

This is how the Las Vegas Raiders can give themselves a chance to stifle the Kansas City Chiefs' offense.

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to upset their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, this afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.

Despite some offensive struggles this season, the Chiefs are 7-3 sit atop the AFC West and are one of the best teams in the AFC for another season. The Raiders (5-6) will be looking to play spoiler as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Chiefs’ offensive struggles cannot be ignored, however. They have not scored a touchdown in the second half in three straight games, have only one true receiving threat and they lack significant depth at running back.

Ultimately, though, the Chiefs still have Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, so they will always be a threat to have a big day offensively. 

The Raiders know this and have to disrupt the Chiefs’ offensive rhythm to pull the upset.

So how do they do that? It comes down to winning the battle in the trenches. The Chiefs have strong interior offensive line play, but their tackles have not been great this season.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby is doubtful for the game, so other edge rushers like Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce must step up for the Raiders in his potential absence.

If the Raiders can get interior pressure, they give themselves an even better shot. While Mahomes can scramble and make plays on the run, it will be much harder for him if he has to do it more often.

The Las Vegas Raiders must make life uncomfortable for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Another thing the Raiders need to do is limit the Chiefs' running game. Kansas City relies heavily on running back Isiah Pacheco and getting some of their wide receivers involved, so they need to slow down Pacheco in the backfield.

This will make the Chiefs one-dimensional as an offense and will force Mahomes to rely on his wide receivers, who have not been as effective for him as other receivers in years past. Kelce will be an option, but the Raiders can let him produce if others are not.

Slowing down the Mahomes-led Chiefs is never easy, but it appears more plausible this year than ever. If the Raiders want to upset their rivals, they must stop the Chiefs’ offense and give their offense more opportunities.

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

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