It may only be Week 7, but the Las Vegas Raiders’ season is on life support with a 2-4 record. Heading into next week’s bye and November at 2-5 will pretty much sink the Raiders’ ship and have people looking toward the future rather than a playoff push, if they aren’t already. That means Las Vegas has to find a way to take down the organization’s biggest rival and a surging Kansas City Chiefs team on the road this Sunday.
To preview the game, Silver and Black Pride reached out to our frenemies at Arrowhead Pride, and Maurice Elston was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Chiefs.
Q: The Chiefs started the season slowly but have bounced back with three wins in their last four games to get back to .500. What’s been the difference between Weeks 1 and 2 and the three wins?
A: The biggest difference has been the offensive line’s improvement and Patrick Mahomes’ growing trust in it. Early on, he didn’t always stay in the pocket, but recently he’s shown more patience and confidence in his protection. The return of Xavier Worthy has also added a much-needed vertical element to the offense. Defensively, the secondary has settled in after a shaky start. Without a true veteran leader like Justin Reid or Tyrann Mathieu from past seasons, this young group needed time to gel.
Q: Wide receiver Rashee Rice is set to make his 2025 debut after serving a six-game suspension. How does Rice change things for Kansas City’s offense and Mahomes?
A: Rashee Rice brings a dynamic that’s been missing from Kansas City’s offense. He’s the one receiver who can turn a short slant into a 20- or 30-yard gain thanks to his yards-after-catch ability. That kind of explosiveness underneath complements the deep threats of Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thorthorn. His return gives Mahomes a reliable, physical target who can create separation and add balance to the passing game.
Q: Left tackle was an issue that the Raiders exposed in the Week 13 matchup last year and was the Chiefs’ biggest need in the offseason after the Super Bowl loss. Thus, the front office drafted Josh Simmons in the first round. Has the rookie solved the problem so far? And is he expected to play this Sunday after missing last week’s game?
A: Josh Simmons has definitely helped stabilize the left tackle position. While he’s still learning and hasn’t been perfect, his progress each week has been evident. He looks like a long-term solution for protecting Mahomes’ blind side.
However, Simmons hasn’t practiced this week due to what the team is calling a personal family matter, and the Chiefs have been fairly quiet about the situation. He’s highly questionable for Sunday, but the coaching staff has confidence in Jaylon Moore to hold things down if Simmons remains out.
Q: Defensive tackle Chris Jones is a future Hall of Famer, but he recently came under fire for his lack of effort on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s game-winning touchdown run. Also, Jones only has one sack in six games this season. Has he lost a step at this stage in his career?
A: The criticism of Jones for that play was warranted, but one moment shouldn’t define his season. While the sack numbers aren’t there, the film still shows a player commanding double teams and consistently collapsing the pocket. His impact doesn’t always show up in the box score, but his pressure rate and disruption remain elite. The real issue is the lack of consistent pass-rush help around him. Without another dominant lineman to draw attention, offenses can focus on Jones, which naturally limits his statistical production.
Q: Can you give us one “under-the-radar” player on each side of the ball who you think will make an impact in the game for the Chiefs?
A: On offense, keep an eye on rookie running back Brashard Smith. His snap count has steadily increased, and he’s shown the ability to turn a simple screen or checkdown into a big play. He adds an element of speed and versatility that defenses have to respect.
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Defensively, cornerback Nohl Williams has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. His confidence in man and press coverage has allowed the Chiefs to move Trent McDuffie inside to the slot — where he thrives — while trusting Williams and Jalen Watson on the perimeter. That flexibility gives Steve Spagnuolo more freedom to disguise coverages and bring pressure. Expect Williams to play a key role in Kansas City’s nickel packages this week.
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