Aidan O’Connell is returning from a fractured thumb to start at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders as they head to Kansas City for their second and final meeting this year against the Chiefs. Of course last year this was home to the Raiders’ biggest win of the season and O’Connell and the Raiders will be looking to replicate that outcome.
The Raiders are desperate to end their seven-game losing streak and hopefully O’Connell being under center will give them that needed boost and build off a bit of promise in their loss to the Broncos. The Raiders actually posted a season-high in total yards and passing yards against Denver and even though the Chiefs are one of the better defenses in the league, they are a bit more susceptible through the air than on the ground.
Brock Bowers remains the Raiders’ best offensive weapon, but Jakobi Meyers has two 100-yard games in the past three contests and Tre Tucker is also coming off a strong performance against the Broncos. The Chiefs just struggled containing Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers’ offense so they can be had. But the offensive line will have to be locked in as, while the Chiefs don’t get a lot of sacks, they are one of the top teams in pressuring the quarterback and O’Connell needs a clean pocket to be effective.
Defensively, the Raiders will have to deal with the returning Isaiah Pacheco out of the Chiefs backfield. It is unclear how big of a role he will play in his return from a fractured fibula, but it is another weapon the Raiders will have to contend with as the Chiefs look to get their offense clicking.
The Chiefs are coming off their second-highest yardage total of the season and hit 30 points for only the second time this season as things are starting to fall into place. DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce are both extremely consistent and reliable, and the Raiders must always have an eye on the explosive Xavier Worthy. Additionally, backup tight end Noah Gray has caught two touchdowns in consecutive weeks so he is another player the Raiders must account for as Patrick Mahomes can lean on any number of weapons depending on how the game goes.
The Raiders have spoken previously about the ‘Mahomes Rules’ and constantly trying to make him feel their hits and wear him down throughout the game. That is what carried them to victory last year and it could work again.
This Chiefs team has looked beatable all year long despite their record. Last year it was Christmas Day, this year it is Black Friday, but the Raiders have the tools to pull off another upset and signature victory this season. But it will take a full team effort and every player and coach being locked in for 60 minutes.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
12:00 p.m. PT, Friday, November 29, 2024
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: Prime Video
