A pair of AFC West rivals take to the gridiron in search of a division victory in the Show-Me State. The Las Vegas Raiders are on the road looking to exorcise a demon that has terrorized them in recent years as they face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football to close out week 5 of the NFL slate. Las Vegas comes in off a 32-23 home victory over Denver, covering as a 2.5-point favorite, last Sunday in their most recent game. Kansas City knocked off Tampa Bay 41-31, winning outright as a two-point underdog, last Sunday night in their previous contest. In the all-time regular season series, the Chiefs own a 68-53-2 advantage and have won eight of the last nine meetings, including a 48-9 home triumph in the most recent matchup on December 12, 2021.
Las Vegas broke into the win column last week as they picked up a divisional win by downing a sputtering Denver team at home last week. The Raiders are now 1-3 on the season and look to make it two straight wins in a place that has been a house of horrors for them. They have just one win in their last nine visits to Arrowhead Stadium. After a back-and-forth opening half, the Raiders took the lead for good on the final play of the half as Daniel Carlson booted a 39-yard field goal. Las Vegas led the rest of the way to earn the victory, relying on their run game to put the Broncos away. In the game, the Raiders held a 385-299 edge in total offense, piled up a 25-12 advantage in first downs and owned a 34:52 to 25:08 edge in time of possession. They also forced the game’s lone turnover in the victory.
For the season, the Raiders are 13th in the league in passing offense with 243.3 yar ds per contest while they are 14th in rushing offense by averaging 113 yards per contest. Las Vegas is 10th in scoring offense as they average 24 points per contest while they are 23rd in scoring defense as they allow 25 points per game. Derek Carr is 94 of 154 passing for 1,038 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions this season. He has been sacked nine times while adding 66 yards on the ground. Josh Jacobs (70 carries, 336 yards, two TD) has handled almost all the work in the run game while Brandon Bolden (six carries, 24 yards) and Zamir White (three carry, 26 yards) are next up in that department. Davante Adams leads the team with 26 receptions for 290 yards plus three scores in his first season since coming over from Green Bay. Tight end Darren Waller (16 catches, 175 yards, TD), Mack Hollins (17 receptions, 273 yards, TD), Jacobs (12 grabs, 90 yards) and Hunter Renfrow (10 grabs, 80 yards) have been involved in the passing game in the first month of the season. Daniel Carlson is six of seven on extra points and 12 of 12 on field goal attempts with a long of 55 this season.
Tight end Foster Moreau (knee) and safety Roderic Teamer (illness) did not practice Thursday. Linebackers Jayon Brown (hamstring) along with Denzel Perryman (concussion), tackle Justin Herron (knee), tight end Darren Waller (shoulder) plus cornerbacks Sam Webb (hamstring) and Rock Ya-Sin (knee) all were limited. On the plus side, the Raiders did have Hunter Renfrow return to practice in a full capacity after missing the last two weeks with a concussion. Watch for updates on their statuses through the weekend leading to kickoff.