Raiders Face Chiefs Defense Fueled by Youth

The Las Vegas Raiders will have to deal with the youth of the Kansas City Chiefs' defense on Sunday and for many games in the future.

Divisional games always carry a little extra weight in the NFL.

When two bitter rivals match up, the games are always sure to be exciting and tightly-contested.

Despite being lopsided in recent history, the rivalry between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs often delivers competitive games that see players give a little extra to try to secure a victory.

The Raiders and Chiefs are coming into this game with different track records this season. The Chiefs held on against the Miami Dolphins a few weeks ago in Germany and then dropped a game at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders rattled off two victories before dropping a close game to those same Dolphins.

Tomorrow’s game should be exciting once again, as interim head coach Antonio Pierce will prepare his players for a match-up with a good Chiefs team. The Chiefs will be prepared as well, especially defensively.

The Chiefs have been excellent defensively this season, largely due to how Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has orchestrated this unit. What has truly helped him, though, is the fact that he has the foundation of his next great defense.

This Chiefs defense is infused with talented young players who have been the engine behind this season. While their veterans like defensive lineman Chris Jones and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed have contributed as well, the Chiefs are building their defense with players they have drafted in recent years.

Their defense is led by cornerback Trent McDuffie, linebacker Leo Chenal and defensive end George Karlaftis. Even players like linebacker Willie Gay and safety Bryan Cook have been impressive.

Players like edge rusher George Karlaftis and cornerback Trent McDuffie are the foundation of the Kansas City Chiefs' young defense / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

What is especially fortunate for the Chiefs is that these are foundational players at premium positions. Having a reliable No. 1 corner in McDuffie and a top-flight edge rusher in Karlaftis means the Chiefs will be covered at important spots for the future.

Raiders fans will need to -- begrudgingly -- become familiar with these young players, because these are the players they will see the Silver and Black play twice a year for several years. The Chiefs have built the foundation of their defense through the NFL Draft, and now the Raiders will need to figure out how to beat these players each year.

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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