For the first time ever, a 3-0 Chiefs team will face off with a 3-0 Raiders team, but will both wind up as legit Super Bowl contenders? Probably not, if you ask me and the oddsmakers. Despite both being undefeated entering Week 4, the Chiefs' odds to reach the playoffs are -600 at DraftKings this Sunday morning, and the Raiders odds sit at +122. One team is undeniable right now, while another has survived against some subpar competition. You can guess which is which.
The good news for the Raiders comes mainly from their offense. Despite not getting the running game going at all this year, the Raiders' offense has been really effective through three games. I honestly can't decide if that's a good sign or a bad sign for them. Brock Bowers just returned and immediately caught 10 balls for triple-digit yardage and a touchdown, and Tre Tucker looked like an emerging threat when Bowers was out with injury. Kirk Cousins threw for three touchdowns in all three of the first games of the season.
That all sounds nice, but a bad day from the Las Vegas defense could make it irrelevant. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins, Chargers and Saints to reach Week 4 undefeated. Tyler Shough may actually turn out to be solid, but he's the only QB the Raiders have faced who currently ranks higher than 29th in Passer Rating. None of those teams produce at the level of Patrick Mahomes and this revamped Chiefs offense. The infusion of talent at the running back position is already proving itself a fruitful offseason decision.
The list of rushing leaders in the league looked like most people would expect heading into Week 4, with one amazing exception. There's Bijan, James Cook III, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, but, oh my, who's at the top of the list? Kenneth Walker III, with 360 rushing yards. His productivity has clearly helped Mahomes, who is now fifth in the league in passing yards. This results in the Chiefs offense ranking second just slightly behind the Rams as the most productive offense in football through three games. That's a challenge completely unlike what these Raiders have ever faced.
The fact that Kansas City's defense is coming together nicely makes me even more confident that the Chiefs with hold on to their undefeated record today. KC ranks fourth in yards allowed and third in points allowed per game. No other Las Vegas opponent ranks higher than 18th in points or yards allowed. I'm predicting a 33-24 victory that suddenly leaves Raiders fans with an uneasy feeling as they look at their post-Chiefs schedule. Between now and Week 11, the Raiders have to face the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos. Forget about the identical records - the Chiefs are built for sustained greatness and the Raiders could be below .500 by Halloween.
That all sounds nice, but a bad day from the Las Vegas defense could make it irrelevant. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins, Chargers and Saints to reach Week 4 undefeated. Tyler Shough may actually turn out to be solid, but he's the only QB the Raiders have faced who currently ranks higher than 29th in Passer Rating. None of those teams produce at the level of Patrick Mahomes and this revamped Chiefs offense. The infusion of talent at the running back position is already proving itself a fruitful offseason decision.
The list of rushing leaders in the league looked like most people would expect heading into Week 4, with one amazing exception. There's Bijan, James Cook III, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, but, oh my, who's at the top of the list? Kenneth Walker III, with 360 rushing yards. His productivity has clearly helped Mahomes, who is now fifth in the league in passing yards. This results in the Chiefs offense ranking second just slightly behind the Rams as the most productive offense in football through three games. That's a challenge completely unlike what these Raiders have ever faced.
The fact that Kansas City's defense is coming together nicely makes me even more confident that the Chiefs with hold on to their undefeated record today. KC ranks fourth in yards allowed and third in points allowed per game. No other Las Vegas opponent ranks higher than 18th in points or yards allowed. I'm predicting a 33-24 victory that suddenly leaves Raiders fans with an uneasy feeling as they look at their post-Chiefs schedule. Between now and Week 11, the Raiders have to face the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos. Forget about the identical records - the Chiefs are built for sustained greatness and the Raiders could be below .500 by Halloween.
