Kansas City Chiefs

Preview and Prediction: Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:39 p.m. ET

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The Oakland Raiders (4-1) will look to earn their fourth consecutive win in Week 6, against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs (2-2).

At 4-1, the Oakland Raiders will look to add a win to already their best record since 2002 in their second consecutive game against a division opponent, as the Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) will look to turn their season around in O. Co Coliseum.

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, a Bay Area native obviously aware of the history behind this matchup, hopes to see another great game between the two teams ending in the Raiders’ favor.

“I’m thinking about all the Raiders,” Del Rio said, via Raiders.com. “There have been some great games over the years. I think for it to be a really good rivalry, I think both teams have to have success. So we’re looking forward to having some success because that’s what our part is. Have some success, do well, play a good game against a good team.”

Here we take an in-depth look at how much success the Raiders will have on Sunday, previewing how Del Rio and company can turn a ‘good game against a good team’ into another notch in the win column.

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) before the start of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Running Backs Will Dictate the Raiders’ Offense

With lead running back Latavius Murray now missing back-to-back games with a toe injury, the Raiders will look to their rookie running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard to carry the load against a porous Chiefs run defense.

Both Washington and Richard are best utilized as change-of-pace backs to larger, downhill runner like Murray because of their lack of size; however, their explosive running style will hurt opposing defenses if they are unable to make open field tackles.

Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave praised the duo for their ability to take on such a large workload this early in their careers.

“Good. Just they have so much on their plate,” Musgrave said. “They’re young guys. Fifth game of their career and they have to contribute on special teams and be ready to go run the punt team, cover kicks, catch punts, catch kicks and then know everything that we’re doing on offense. Very impressed.”

Playing in Murray’s absence last week, Washington and Richard combined for just 54 yards on 17 carries, but the two should turn things around against Kansas City.

The Chiefs have allowed the fourth most rushing yards per game (129.5) this season, as their front seven has failed to create early penetration and contain opposing ball carriers without edge-defender Justin Houston in the lineup.

Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, the team’s leading tackler (31), has done his best to keep things under control, but he is receiving no help from his teammates playing at the line of scrimmage.

In what should be a bounce back game for Washington and Richard, the Raiders’ offensive line should bully the Chiefs in the trenches, opening up large running lanes for the Oakland’s rookie running backs.

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) reacts after the Raiders were called for a neutral zone infraction against the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders’ Front Four Should Remain Dominant Against Chiefs’ Offensive Line

The Raiders’ defensive line hasn’t shocked the world in terms of statistics, accumulating just seven sacks this season, but they are due for a standout performance against a struggling Chiefs offensive line.

According to NFL.com, the Chiefs have allowed 13 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and 13 tackles for loss in just four games this season.

Former Cleveland Browns right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has performed well since taking his talents to Kansas City, but the rest of the crew has failed to follow his lead. Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher has yet to live up to the hype after being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2013 NFL draft, and, to make matters worse, Kansas City’s interior offensive line hasn’t even lived up to low expectations.

With Oakland set to take on the Chiefs offensive line, a lot of attention will go to Raiders’ edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin because of their previous success, which, in turn, should open up opportunities for Oakland’s interior defensive linemen to leave their mark.

Oakland has significantly benefited from their depth between Mack and Irvin, as Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. has been able to maintain constant production while rotating players in frequently, one of which being fourth-year defensive lineman Stacy McGee.

McGee, a sixth-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, has fought to stay on the Raiders’ roster despite earning limited opportunities on the field. Now seeing the most snaps of his career, McGee thriving in the limelight.

In 137 defensive snaps, McGee has graded out as the 17th best interior defensive lineman in the NFL (80.8), per PFF.com, accumulating 11 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

“Well, I think Stacy (McGee) decided to be a really good player,” Norton said. “I think that growth has a lot to do with it. I think that our staff has really worked with him and he has really had a mindful growth set about him. He really wants to do really well, and obviously, with the group he’s in – Khalil (Mack) and Bruce (Irvin) and himself – and you can tell that the work they put in, the studying they put in, the coaching that they get, they are prepared to do well.”

Though McGee has stolen the headlines away from Mack because of his early production, Norton is confident that Mack will find his way back onto the stat sheet, and even if he doesn’t, his impact is still noteworthy.

“You just have to keep grinding,” Norton said. “Sacks come in bunches. Obviously now, he’s not a mystery, everyone knows who he is. If you know a guy’s going to be really good, you’re going to keep your eyes on him. At the same time, you have guys like Stacy McGee emerge. Khalil’s greatness is also helping other players get one-on-ones and get opportunities to really show what they have. It’s good for everybody.”

Look for Mack to join McGee in the headlines after a strong performance against Kansas City.

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to throw a pass against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Carr to Target the Chiefs’ Second and Third Cornerbacks

Through the Raiders’ five games this season, third-year quarterback Derek Carr has successfully taken advantage of opposing defenses’ weaker defensive backs, oftentimes targeting the receiver with the better matchup.

Carr will play a similar card against Kansas City.

With Chiefs star cornerback Marcus Peters expected to lockdown the Raiders’ top receiver Michael Crabtree, Carr will look to target sophomore receiver Amari Cooper against Kansas City’s veteran cornerback Phillip Gaines, a PFF’s 99th ranked cornerback.

If Cooper can keep his feet in bounds on at least half of his routes, he should only add to Gaines’ already poor season.

At nickel cornerback, second-year corner Steven Nelson will take on Raiders slot receiver Seth Roberts. Yes, Roberts hasn’t pulled in a significant amount of targets this season, but he could return to the end zone with Nelson in coverage.

Roberts has brought in just 12 of his 22 targets for 105 yards, but he has managed to find the end zone three times, good for the second most on the team.

Nelson, PFF’s 71st ranked cornerback (65.5.) this season, has struggled due in large part to his lack of experience and size. At 5’11”, 194 pounds, Nelson, earning his fifth career start against Oakland, will face an uphill battle lining up against a bigger slot receiver like Roberts.

Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) tackled Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Peters and Eric Berry Will Limit the Raiders’ Passing Attack

With Nelson expected to struggle, Peters and safety Eric Berry will pick up the slack against the Raiders’ dominant passing attack, likely forcing Carr to look for other ways to succeed offensively.

Carr praised Peters earlier in the week, but held strong in the fact that his game plan would remain unaffected.

“He’s aggressive, a playmaker, great hands, great ball skills as DB (defensive back), Carr said. “Anytime a corner has great ball skills, you have to be careful with those 50-50 chance balls. You have to be careful in that aspect, but it’s the same way whenever we play all of those top corners, which he is one of. I’m just going to go out there and play my game regardless of who’s standing where.”

Though he hopes to attack Peters like he would any other cornerback, Carr will learn early that he must honor the Chiefs’ star corner if he is going to avoid committing turnovers in this contest.

Peters, a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft, has accumulated 15 combined tackles (nine solo), eight pass deflections, and a league-high four interceptions in four games.

Best utilized in man coverage, Peters will lock down opposing receivers when lined up on and off the line of scrimmage, but even when he is asked to play the deep third in zone coverage, both Peters and Berry respond well to opposing deep threats.

Berry has just 17 combined tackles on the season; however, he and Peters have both directly contributed to Chiefs’ 13th ranked passing defense, limiting opposing offenses to just 241 passing yards per game and just 7.1 yards per attempt.

With that being said, Carr will, of course, have his way with Nelson on one side of the field, but he will struggle to make ends meet when throwing the ball deep and targeting the opposite side of the field.

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders’ Secondary Will Feature on ‘Catching Kelce’

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has turned his NFL career into an acting career, as the former University of Cincinnati product now stars on Catching Kelce, where contestants compete for Kelce’s love.

Though the Raiders’ defense isn’t looking to fall in love with Kelce anytime soon, they will struggle catching Kelce on Sunday.

Kelce has brought in a team-high 22 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns, 120 of his yards coming after the catch.

According to PFF.com, Kelce has graded out as the eighth best tight end in the league through five weeks (78.2).

At 6’5”, 260 pounds, Kelce possesses rare athleticism for his size, and, in turn, his polished route-running ability and sheer size forces opposing defenses to acknowledge his presence, especially on third downs and in the red zone.

Against Oakland, Kelce’s performance on critical downs will take the Chiefs’ offense to new heights or leave them falling flat.

The Raiders will hope for the latter, but without an elite coverage player at either safety or linebacker, Kelce will take advantage of the poor matchup early and often.