Raiders defense: Las Vegas’ 2nd-ranked 3rd-down defense gets ultimate test

Kansas City Chiefs bring the 4th-ranked third-down offense into Sunday’s Week 8 matchup

The second-ranked third-down defense against the fourth-ranked third-down offense.

It’s going to be strength versus strength when the Las Vegas Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday inside Allegiant Stadium. And we’ll find out which ranking is fugazi.

While the Silver & Black boasts the 29th-ranked defense in terms of points allowed (183), Patrick Graham’s group is the second-best unit in the NFL limiting third-down conversions. Of 83 third down attempts, Las Vegas has allowed only 24 first downs for an impressive 28.9 percent conversion rate. Only the Miami Dolphins are better allowing 18 conversions on 68 attempts (26.5 percent).

In the Raiders’ most recent outing — a 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (who upset the Minnesota Vikings this past Thursday) — Graham’s defense limited Sean McVay’s offense to two third down conversions out of 10 attempts. And it was plays like the tackle for loss from safety Tre’von Moehrig (below) that helped bolster Las Vegas defensive efforts last Sunday.

“I think one of the bright spots for our defense this year has been third down. If you look at each and every game, we’ve been we’ve been right there,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said during his media availability this week. “I don’t know where we’re ranked in the National Football League, but I’m assuming in the top. We’ve done a good job of that.

“Patrick Graham and Rob Ryan, those guys that come up with the third down and short yardage report do a really good job of being detailed and dialed in. And our players really stood out yesterday on doing that, especially in short yardage.”

The incoming Chiefs, though, provide the Raiders with the ultimate test and it starts with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid and his staff are devising ways to attack opposing defenses and Mahomes in the conductor of that under center. The Chiefs have totaled 75 third down attempts this year and converted 34 of them into first downs for a 45.3 percent rate. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (50.6 percent), Baltimore Ravens (50) and Washington Commanders (48.8) are better than the Chiefs in third-down conversions.

While Mahomes does have a collection of weapons to attack defense’s with — new wide receiver and veteran DeAndre Hopkins the latest shiny piece — the quarterback’s ability to overcome, improvise, and adapt is well-documented. He can move around in the pocket to buy more time to throw or he can scramble to move the chains. And that’s something the Raiders are keen on.

“Yesterday they did some of the scramble drills. We’re going to do a scramble drill today before the start of practice,” Graham said during his media session on Thursday. “That’s important, just when you’re doing the prep, and then as you’re watching the tape, it’s about discipline. You have discipline with the rush lanes. You have discipline with your deep field coverage. You have discipline when they do move and he’s on the move of getting your eyes on your man or in zone plastering your area. So, it’s a big discipline thing. And then the other part is the simulation of it in practice.”

Discipline and sheer want-to — in simpler sense, bullying Mahomes — are going to be big in Sunday’s AFC West showdown between the Raiders and Chiefs. Because while Mahomes remains a magician, he most recently showed the willingness to truck defenders, too. Just look at the rushing touchdown he scored against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday:

If Mahomes were to do that to a Raiders defender… oh boy.

That all considered, I’m not going to be obtuse here: I’m well aware the Chiefs offense can avoid third down altogether by consistently moving the ball against the Raiders defense. Kansas City, after all, boasts the 13th-ranked group in point scored (146) and yards gained (2,102). Las Vegas, on the other hand, has the 29th-ranked unit in terms of points allowed (183) and 11th in yards given up (2,218).

The Chiefs have five explosive scoring plays (going for 20-plus more yards) amongst the 16 touchdown has scored on the year (one of which was a 38-yard fumble return). But here’s the kicker: Kansas City hasn’t gone through a large chunk of October without a passing touchdown. All six touchdowns this month are rushing scores. To compare: Of the 10 touchdowns Las Vegas allowed this month, six are rushing scores and two passing. The other two are a 100-yard pick six and 33-yard fumble return.

On the year, Mahomes has more interceptions than touchdowns — eight picks to six TDs. We’ll find out Sunday if the Raiders can add to that running count, but it may be difficult. Las Vegas has a meager three takeaways on the year (while giving away the ball a staggering 16 times through seven games).

“I mean, this guy’s the most skilled in our league,” Graham said of Mahomes. “But there’s an emphasis on turnovers every week. There’s emphasis on turnovers every week. And the thing is, we’re praising the habit, and we’ll get more production at some point. But I don’t know if there’s a greater emphasis. If you could steal possession from the Chiefs, that’s ideal, because they’re so good at whether it’s scoring in five plays, or they could score in 12 plays. If you steal possessions, hopefully you’re taking away some points. Because, I mean they’re a pretty good offensive group.”

Series History: The two teams have met a total of 130 times with all but three regular season matchups. Kansas City leads the all-time series 73-55-2 (54-71-2 in regular season, 2-1 in postseason action). Las Vegas is the last team to hand the Chiefs a loss — 20-14 on Christmas Day 2023. But it’s Kansas City that’s dominated the Raiders the last 10 games with the Raiders 2-8 since December 2018. the Chiefs won the prior six meetings dating back to 2020.

Quote of Note:

“Yeah, I think Gardner (Minshew) has had a lot of good happen this year, a lot of good. And we don’t want to keep coming back to these three or four plays that happen each week, but I think he’s going to make sure that he’s focused and he’s dialed in. And then when the plays break down and it’s not the ideal look, especially when it’s not in a critical or, I should say, a desperate situation, you’ve got to let it go, and you’ve got to move on to the next play. And I think that half of those situations we’re talking about are that. We just got to let it go, move on. And I think the other half have been a little bit more desperate situations, trying to catch up two-minute type stuff, but we got to let these ones go. And I think that he knows that he’s been there, done that, and I think he’s ready to move forward. I don’t think there’s anything other than he’s feeling confident, he loves the guys that he’s working with, and I think we’re in a good shape.” —Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy on helping quarterback Gardner Minshew limit costly turnovers