This week, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 3 showdown in Las Vegas. The match is scheduled to tip off at 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead time and will be broadcast locally on CBS (KCTV-5). Both teams are undefeated and the winner will take sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
The Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 24-10 a week ago, 3-0, and while it wasn’t the team’s sharpest performance, they still won by two possessions.
Running back Kenneth Walker electrified the league by winning AFC Player of the Month for September. Walker’s presence has fueled an offensive resurgence in Kansas City, helping the Chiefs move to second in the league in yards per game with 416. The running game has also opened up the passing game again, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes appears to be back in MVP form less than a year after recovering from an ACL injury.
With a brand new regime, the Raiders are off to their best start since 2021 under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak and new quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Raiders have used a strong defense and a revamped offense to get off to a strong start, and this will be a statement game for them.
Here are five things to watch for in another AFC battle.
1. The Raiders pass rush
One of the Raiders’ strengths this season has been their pass rush, and all eyes will be on star defensive end Maxx Crosby against the Chiefs’ offensive tackles.
The Raiders have been one of the best teams in the NFL at coming home against quarterbacks, and they’ve done it with one of the lowest blitz percentages.
The Raiders defensive line did a great job rushing the passer, and it started up front with Crosby. While Crosby gets most of the attention, backup rushers like Malcom Koonce and Kwity Paye have helped clean up, and seven total Raiders have recorded sacks so far this season.
The Chiefs offensive line did an adequate job of protecting Mahomes despite last week’s issues. Rookie Kahlil Benson was aided by the running game and fierce action, and played well enough to earn AFC Rookie of the Month honors.
The rookie has played well so far, but this will be the biggest test of his career. Expect the play offense to continue, but the one-on-one situations between Benson and Crosby will be telling.
2. Walker and Kubiak reunion
In February, Kubiak and Walker both played crucial roles in helping the Seattle Seahawks win the Lombardi Trophy, and less than a year later, they find themselves opponents in the same division.
Kubiak was Walker’s offensive coordinator for just one season, but during that season Walker recorded the second-highest rushing total of his career, as well as a dominant playoff run that helped him win the Super Bowl MVP.
Despite the monster playoff run, Walker spent the season splitting time with fellow Seahawks man Zach Charbonnet until Charbonnet went down with an ACL injury in January.
Kubiak left to become head coach and Walker signed with a team that needed a turnaround. It will be interesting if either is able to use their internal knowledge to help their current team prepare.
3. Difference in takeaway turnover
Turning the ball over is never a factor in success, but this season both teams lead the league in takeaway turnover differential. The Raiders lead the league at +5, while the Chiefs are tied for 5th at +3.
A huge four-game play in Week 3 increased that number for the Raiders, but in terms of overall turnovers, they still lead the league with five fumbles recoveries and four interceptions. Their numbers could be higher, but three Kirk Cousins interceptions and another fumble narrow the margin.
The Chiefs only turned the ball over twice – two interceptions by Mahomes – but forced two fumbles and intercepted three passes. Last season, both teams finished with negative margins, with the Chiefs at -1 for the season and the Raiders near last at -7.
Ball security could play a huge role on Sunday.
The Chiefs are the NFL’s best team in yards after catch this season with 519, thanks in large part to tight end Travis Kelce, who leads the league with 155 at age 37. Wideout Rashee Rice is also in the top 10 with 119 after the catch.
The Chiefs used an impressive play-action passing attack to get their best players open, and Mahomes didn’t hesitate to take the easy passes.
The Chiefs used the threat of Walker’s legs to draw defenders into the box, and that’s where the offense’s brilliance showed this season. Giving Kelce and Rice free lanes led to explosive plays and gave the defense very little room for error.
It’s been many years since the Chiefs and Raiders last played a truly meaningful game, but this one could mean another change in the Mahomes era for the Chiefs’ main rival in the AFC West. The Los Angeles Chargers are off to a disastrous start after being the Chiefs’ primary threat during the Mahomes era, while the Broncos appear to be regressing after their 2025 campaign.
The Raiders have new faces everywhere and, more importantly, they have the talent and coaching to utilize them. Their biggest asset probably won’t even play this week, but the Chiefs should still be ready to get the most out of the Raiders, especially with division standings on the line early in the season.
Gn sports
