Five Key Raiders For the Win at Arrowhead

As the Las Vegas Raiders' NFL Playoff hopes continue to percolate, we look at five key players for the possible upset of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) play the Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Christmas Day, and the Silver and Black are not just playing for their NFL Playoff lives.

The Raiders are playing for Interim Coach Antonio Pirece in attempting to convince owner Mark Davis that he is the one to lead the franchise forward in 2024.

A victory in this battle between bitter AFC West rivals would not be a small step toward Pierce getting the job permanently; it would be a monster leap.

For the Silver and Black to invade Arrowhead and get the victory, here are five players who will have a lot to say about the outcome:

No.  1 rookie tight end Michael Mayer has all the physical gifts one can call God-given. Mayer has tremendous size, speed, strength, and soft hands, rarely found in a blocker of his talent.  He has improved all season and isn't even close to his full potential yet.  The Chiefs will take risks, pressure the Raiders' rookie signal-caller Aidan O'Connell and create space for Mayer to shine. Additionally, his blocking is necessary for the Raiders to get some chunk plays, and as a three-down tight end, they will need him to have his best game as a rookie.

No. 2, safety Tre'von Moehrig is in his "money" season. That is the third year in the NFL. This is the season when players go from potential to production. Moehrig has had his best season so far, but there is more he can do. He is immensely talented, and Raider Nation should be excited about a player of his talents and the simple fact that he hasn't reached his ceiling. The way Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes attack, this next game will require excellent play from Moehrig.

The Las Vegas Raiders are trending upward, and Tre'von Moehrig will be a big reason for an upset win at Arrowhead on Christmas Day / © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is a player who needs no introduction.  e has a big contract and has played in a Pro Bowl, but at times this season, he has disappeared, and when the Raiders have rewarded him with targets, he has made crucial mistakes. The way that the Chiefs will attack the Raiders' rookie gunslinger, Renfrow deadly ability in short spaces is vital. He is not a rookie, or a sophomore, or in his "money season," he is a proven commodity.  Mistakes from him hurt more and are more deadly. Renfrow needs a productive, mistake-proof game for the Raiders to earn the upset on Christmas Day.

No. 4, cornerback Amik Robertson is one of the most popular players on the Raiders. His tremendous attitude and jovial personality are contagious and refreshing. Robertson is in year four, and that places the onus of great play on him. This isn't about being likable or famous; this is a production-based business. You often see Robertson's mistake followed up by a big play. The Raiders believe in him, but the production needs to reflect fewer mistakes and more big plays. With multiple receiver sets, Amik will get his reps on the field, and he needs to make each one count, which will be vital for the success of the Silver and Black should they pull off the upset on Christmas Day.

No. 5, rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell has had a promising freshman season and continues to grow. Last week, he heeded the bellowing cries of his head coach and attacked down the field. The Raiders need him to continue to grow in his rookie season, and he has already come a long way, but to beat the world champions on their field, they need him to continue to relish in his newfound confidence to succeed. O'Connell has terrific gifts, one of which is his high football IQ. He won the heart of his Interim Coach, and he needs to continue to honor that. Outside of the Minnesota Vikings game, he has gotten better each week and has shown glimpses of why many NFL scouts thought he would have been a possible first-round selection had he come out of Purdue one year earlier. The fantastic thing about O'Connell is that he doesn't have to do anything he hasn't done, he simply needs to keep doing what he is doing. That is a very big deal for the rookie.

The Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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