Coming off Week 6’s big 30-17 victory over the Detroit Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs host an AFC West rival on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium: the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here’s what I’ll be wondering as the
game gets underway.
1. Can the Chiefs gang-tackle Ashton Jeanty?
It’s easy to look at the rookie running back’s stats and think he’s been underwhelming. Through six games, he’s carried the ball 105 times for 424 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. Those are fine numbers — but not the kind of production you’d expect from the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
But they don’t tell the full story. Jeanty has only 134 yards before contact — 32nd in the league — averaging just 1.3 yards before contact per attempt. That ranks 43rd among 44 qualifying rushers.
But here’s the thing: Jeanty is elite at gaining yards after contact. He ranks third with 290 yards after he’s been hit, averaging 2.9 per attempt. That’s the league’s third-highest rate — and his 15 broken tackles lead the NFL.
This tells us that while Jeanty is often being hit behind the line of scrimmage, he has the strength and skill to turn those one-yard plays into four-yard gains. Coming into the league, his biggest strength was his contact balance — and that has fully translated to the next level. Jeanty is compact, powerful and difficult to bring down — and also possesses the vision and quickness to make defenders miss in space.
So even if the Raiders’ offensive line struggles, the Chiefs must swarm to the ball and tackle as a unit. Kansas City’s linebackers are strong against the run, making this a good matchup on paper. If the Chiefs want to make this game lopsided right off the bat, setting the tone up front will be a key.
2. Can Kansas City get turnovers?
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith has already thrown 10 picks this season. That’s two more than any other NFL team. While Smith is an aggressive quarterback who will rifle throws into tight windows, defenses can bait him into throwing dangerous passes that they can pick off.
That’s the way Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo always likes to approach it: disguising coverages that will rattle a quarterback and make them speed through their process — making them more likely to make mistakes. Early in the game, expect the Chiefs to show Smith certain bait coverages. Then when they later show him a similar pre-snap look, they’ll change the coverage to something else.
This will also require Kansas City’s pass rush to get pressure — but fortunately, this is one place where the defense showed improvement against the Lions. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones was dialed-in, turning in his best game of the season. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ offensive line — especially without left tackle Kolton Miller — is not a good unit. There should be plenty of opportunities for the Chiefs to break through the Las Vegas pass protection — and as a pocket quarterback, Smith won’t tend to move off his spot.
In Sunday’s game, it should be easy for Kansas City to rush the passer.
3. How will the Chiefs use Rashee Rice?
The third-year wideout is back after a six-game suspension to open his season. While Kansas City has established a better offensive identity without him, the offense still needs Rice to make things work. As the team’s top wideout, he’s the player the passing game revolves around. Rice was producing at an All-Pro level before the injury that ended his 2024 season. Without him, the Chiefs have struggled to find explosive plays in the passing game.
When Rice is healthy, we know what his role will be: playing in the slot, running underneath routes that will get him the ball quickly, allowing him to make plays after the catch. But how quickly will we see that version of him?
Let’s remember: Rice is coming off a major injury — and hasn’t played in over 12 months. There’s a chance that right away, he won’t be in rhythm. He may need time to get all the way back.
So how will Kansas City sprinkle Rice in with the receivers? Tight end Travis Kelce is playing in the slot. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown is also doing a lot in the slot — as are fellow wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Xavier Worthy. The Chiefs’ only true full-time outside receiver is Tyquan Thornton. How will the team fit Rice into this picture — both on Sunday and the weeks to come? Will we see him play more on the boundary? What about the other wide receivers? Who will have their role adjusted?
It’s easy to think Rice will step right back in, but that’s rarely how it plays out. I think the Chiefs will be able to incorporate him into the offense, but it’s likely to take some time. It will be worth watching how Rice ramps up.
