Who is the Guy?

The Chiefs are always in title contention with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. The three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP is the ultimate winner with a 92-26 (77.9%) career record as a starter, including a 35-6 mark against AFC West foes. Given his winning pedigree and spectacular playmaking skills in the clutch, the Raiders must neutralize Mahomes to have any shot of knocking off the Chiefs in a pivotal divisional battle.

Know His Name

Rashee Rice returns to action after recovering from a season-ending knee injury and serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. As the Chiefs' former No. 1 receiver, he teams with Xavier Worthy and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown to form an explosive playmaking trio on the perimeter. With the Chiefs looking to jump-start their offense with more big plays down the field, Rice's return will help Andy Reid create and exploit more favorable one-on-one matchups in the passing game.

Don't Sleep On…

Isiah Pacheco is a rugged runner with the potential to churn out a 100-yard game when opponents fail to respect the Chiefs' rushing attack. The fourth-year pro is a hard-charging force between the tackles, with enough speed to turn the corner on perimeter runs. With Pacheco also bringing the emotional fire to the team with his big plays, the Raiders must keep No. 10 under wraps to prevent the Chiefs from controlling the game with a balanced approach.

Under Pressure

Chris Jones has faced immense criticism and backlash for his lackluster effort at various moments this season. Although the All-Pro defender is a destructive force at the point of attack, his inconsistent effort has hurt the defense when a key stop could change the game's momentum. Considering his pride as a competitor, Jones could use the harsh criticism as motivation to get back to his dominant ways.

Matchup to Watch

Jawaan Taylor vs. Maxx Crosby

The Chiefs' right tackle has struggled with penalties and protection since his arrival as a marquee free agent in 2023. Against Crosby, Taylor's discipline and technique will be tested by a relentless competitor with a disruptive game. If the Chiefs' top tackle is unable to handle the Pro Bowl pass rusher without assistance, the Raiders could disrupt Mahomes' rhythm with various stunts, games, and blitzes to and away from the pass rushing specialist.

Offensive Scheme

The Chiefs aim to play a "fun and gun" style of football, allowing Mahomes to throw the ball all over the yard to a plethora of playmakers on the perimeter. Though the offense has struggled to find its way in 2025, the return of some key pass catchers could lead to more explosive plays from a unit that is attempting to recapture its high-powered form. With an underrated running game that is beginning to catch fire, the Chiefs pose a formidable challenge as a versatile offense directed by a masterful schemer.

Defensive Scheme

Steve Spagnuolo has never met a blitz that he did not like, particularly when it creates chaos for the quarterback within the pocket. The veteran defensive play caller will dial up various Cover 0 pressures in pivotal moments to force the quarterback to make a perfect throw under duress. Additionally, he will employ multiple exotic pressures to blow up the running game and put the offense behind the chains. Given the Raiders' turnover woes, expect Spagnuolo to dial up the pressures at a high rate to see if the Silver and Black can handle the heat.