Week 4 is about to hit different for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are staring down what Head Coach Andy Reid himself called their “toughest test of the season” against the 3-0 Las Vegas Raiders. This road game isn’t just another divisional slugfest, it is literally going to decide the AFC West leader after the first four games. The Raiders have absolutely matched Kansas City’s red-hot start, and it is all thanks to first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, who’s got a young team mixed with just the right veterans.
This Raiders Defense Is Coming For Everything
Andy Reid was not holding back his praise for Kubiak’s work, talking him up big time during his Wednesday press conference. He said, “He’s a good football coach, he’s got good assistant coaches, guys that have been in the business for a while, and they’ve got good schemes.” But it is not just good schemes; it is how the players are running it: “The guys are executing it and executing it fast and accurate.” That speed and accuracy is showing up where it counts: turnovers. Reid pointed out, “They’ve got a ton of turnovers, and batted balls and everything else. So they’re playing aggressive football.” And he is not kidding. Las Vegas has forced nine turnovers this year, which is two more than any other team in the league. A lot of that aggression is coming from their offseason pickups: former Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is leading the entire league with three forced fumbles, and rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses is absolutely crushing it, leading the NFL in interceptions. We all know defensive end Maxx Crosby is the guy up front, but check this: edge rushers Malcolm Koonce (2.5 sacks) and Kwity Paye (2 sacks) both have more sacks than the five-time Pro Bowler to start this season. That pass rush is real, and it is going to test Patrick Mahomes’ offensive line, especially rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson. Mahomes is still talking up his guys though, saying, “I have all the trust in the world in those guys. It’s not just Maxx. [Koonce]’s doing a great job. Kwity Paye’s doing a great job of rushing the passer, all those guys, and so it’ll be another challenge for them, and I’m excited for them to go out there and accept it.”
They’ve Always Played ‘Em Tough, And Now They’ve Got Bowers
Here is the kicker: even when the Raiders have been struggling in recent seasons, they have found a way to take it to the Chiefs. Last year, Las Vegas just squeaked out a 13-12 win in the season finale. And who could forget Christmas Day 2023, when a 6-8 Raiders squad upset the Chiefs right there at Arrowhead Stadium, almost costing them their shot at winning Super Bowl LVIII? Reid himself admitted, “Yeah, they’ve always played us tough over the years. I mean, it’s still Raiders and Chiefs, and the records really didn’t matter going into it. Both teams played hard against each other. They’ve got a good group of guys right now and good leadership, and they’re doing well. A lot of turnovers.” On offense, quarterback Kirk Cousins is captaining the ship, and last week his top target, tight end Brock Bowers, made his season debut after missing the first two games with meniscus surgery. Bowers immediately lit it up, catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton knows it is going to take the entire defense’s attention to keep Bowers in check. This Week 4 road game is going to be an absolute battle for the AFC West lead, and it is going to be fascinating to see if the Raiders can keep up this aggressive, turnover-forcing pace.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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