Kansas City @ Las Vegas preview
Allegiant Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 25, 2023 ) Las Vegas 20, Kansas City 14
The Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's sole remaining unbeaten team, will try to continue that streak Sunday on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs (6-0) haven't lost since last Christmas Day -- 20-14 to the Raiders.
And the Chiefs could be taking their new present to Las Vegas. On Thursday, the team made official the acquisition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans, and he is working to be ready to face the Raiders. The 12th-year receiver has totaled just 15 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown in six games for the Titans, but the three-time All-Pro has seven 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, including last season when he posted 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven scores.
The Chiefs need help in their receiver corps as JuJu Smith-Schuster left the 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers last week after aggravating a hamstring injury. Coach Andy Reid ruled out Smith-Schuster playing against the Raiders.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs offense is operating without Rashee Rice, who is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in a Week 4 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is looking forward to playing with Hopkins.
"I think our coaches do a great job of getting guys up to speed, and you've seen that throughout this year already," Mahomes told reporters Wednesday. "Bringing in guys, getting them up to speed fast, and then let them go out there and make an impact and do what they're great at."
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce told reporters Wednesday that he expects the Chiefs to have a few plays designed for Hopkins should he be on the active roster Sunday.
Hopkins wouldn't be the Raiders' only concern against the Chiefs, however.
"To be honest, no disrespect to Hop, this offense still goes through (tight end Travis Kelce) and (rookie receiver Xavier) Worthy now down the field vertically," Pierce said.
Kansas City's offense has lost some of the production it generated in recent years. Mahomes has thrown for just 1,389 yards in six games this season. He also leads the NFL with eight interceptions and has thrown only six touchdown passes. No Chiefs player has caught more than Kelce's 28 passes this season or accumulated more than Rice's 288 yards through the air.
The Raiders (2-5) enter Week 8 as losers of three straight games. Pierce said Wednesday the team needs to be more disciplined on offense. In last week's 20-15 loss at the Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas committed four turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Gardner Minshew.
Pierce said he expects the Chiefs defense, which has allowed the fourth-fewest total points in the league, to make it tough for Minshew and company.
"The pressure this year, you see them kind of morphing into something different," the Raiders coach said. "They got different personnel groupings, playing not as blitz-happy. But they're still aggressive."
Las Vegas ruled out guard Dylan Parham (foot) on Friday. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who missed the past two games with an ankle injury, is listed as questionable. Tight end Harrison Bryant (elbow) and linebackers Tommy Eichenberg (quad) and Kana'i Mauga (knee) also are listed as questionable.
For the Chiefs, defensive end Michael Danna (pectoral) is out.
--Field Level Media