Prediction, Preview, and Odds
A pair of AFC West rivals meet up on the gridiron as part of a tripleheader of NFL action coming to you on Christmas Day. The Las Vegas Raiders are on the road as they travel to the Midwest to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday afternoon. Las Vegas comes in off a 63-21 demolition of the Chargers at home in their previous game on December 14, easily covering the line as a three-point favorite. Kansas City downed New England 27-17 on the road last Sunday in their previous game, failing to cover the line as a 10.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series, the Chiefs own a 71-53-2 advantage and have claimed the last six meetings. That includes a 31-17 road win in the first meeting this season on November 26.
The Chiefs lead the AFC West by two games over Denver and are sitting in third place in the AFC. The Raiders just need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. If Kansas City wins, they clinch their eighth straight AFC West title.
Las Vegas Raiders Try to Build Late Season Momentum
Las Vegas snapped a three-game skid and bounced back from a 3-0 loss to the Vikings as they destroyed the Chargers at home on Thursday Night Football last week. The Raiders improved to 6-8 on the season and stood third in the AFC West. They were 12th in the AFC playoff picture, two games behind the final playoff spot. Against the Chargers, Las Vegas powered to a 21-0 lead after the opening quarter and was up by a whopping 42-0 margin at the half. The Raiders never looked back, leading 49-0 early in the third quarter and 56-7 after three quarters before easing off the gas. Las Vegas held a 378-326 edge in total offense, picked up 20 first downs while allowing 18 and forced five turnovers without committing any. They scored on a pick-six and a scoop-six, all helping to offset a narrow 30:09 to 29:51 disadvantage in time of possession.
For the season, the Raiders are 22nd in the league in passing offense with 201.1 yards per contest while they are 32nd in rushing offense by averaging 83.7 yards per contest. Las Vegas is 24th in scoring offense as they average 18.9 points per contest while they are 9th in scoring defense as they allow 20 points per game. Jimmy Garoppolo is 110 of 168 passing for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns against nine interceptions while adding 39 yards on the ground. He has been sacked 13 times this season. Aidan O’Connell is 154 of 244 passing for 1,613 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s run for 11 yards and a score on the ground while getting sacked 18 times. Brian Hoyer is 23 of 42 passing for 231 yards and two interceptions. Josh Jacobs leads the team in the run game with 233 carries for 805 yards and six scores on the season. Zamir White (37 carries, 123 yards, TD) is the second back in the system. Davante Adams leads the team in the passing game with 84 receptions for 968 yards and five scores this season. Jakobi Meyers (59 catches, 648 yards, seven TD), rookie tight end Michael Mayer (27 grabs, 304 yards, two TD), Jacobs (37 grabs, 296 yards) Hunter Renfrow (25 receptions, 255 yards) and Tre Tucker (11 grabs, 220 yards, two TD) are other players with more than 200 receiving yards this season. Daniel Carlson has hit all 27 extra point attempts and 20 of 24 field goal attempts with a long of 47 this year.
The Raiders are dealing with some key pieces that are banged up heading into this one as well. Defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee), tight end Michael Mayer (toe) and wide receiver DJ Turner (shoulder) each missed practice Thursday and Friday. Running back Josh Jacobs (illness/quad) missed practice Thursday but participated in a limited fashion Friday, as did guard Dylan Parham (illness). Center Andre James (ankle) and tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) were each limited both days. Watch for any new information as the weekend progresses.
Kansas City Chiefs Seeking Second Straight Win
Kansas City snapped a two-game skid as they went on the road and took care of business against New England in their previous contest. The Chiefs enter this week 9-5 on the season and lead the AFC West by two games over Denver. They held the #3 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Against New England, Kansas City led 7-0 after the opening quarter, trailed 10-7 in the second quarter and took the lead for good with 35 seconds to play in the half. The Chiefs extended to a 27-10 edge after three quarters and went on to the victory. Kansas City held a 326-206 advantage in total offense, racked up a 19-10 advantage in first downs and owned a 31:14 to 28:46 margin in time of possession. Those numbers helped the Chiefs shake off turning the ball over twice while forcing only one takeaway in the contest.
The Chiefs enter this game 3rd in the league in passing offense as they average 255.6 yards per game this season. Kansas City is 20th in the league in rushing offense as they grind out 103.1 yards per contest on the ground. The Chiefs are 10th in scoring offense as they put up an average of 22.8 points per game while they stand 3rd in scoring defense as they allow 17.5 points per contest. Patrick Mahomes is the signal caller for the Chiefs: he is 353 of 524 for 3,703 yards with 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on the year. He is second on the team with 334 rushing yards. Blaine Gabbert is three of five passing for 31 yards with two interceptions. In the run game, Isiah Pacheco leads the team with 176 carries for 779 yards and six scores. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (64 carries, 216 yards, TD) is the next man up in the ground game. When the Chiefs go to the air, tight end Travis Kelce leads the team with 85 receptions for 924 yards and five scores this season. Justin Watson (22 catches, 381 yards, two TD), Rashee Rice (68 grabs, 754 yards, seven TD), Noah Gray (24 receptions, 283 yards, two TD), Skyy Moore (21 catches, 244 yards, TD), Pacheco (33 grabs, 209 yards, TD) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (20 grabs, 312 yards, TD) all have exceeded the 200-yard mark in receiving yards this season. Harrison Butker is 34 of 34 on extra point attempts and 25 of 26 on field goal attempts with a long of 60 on the year.
Kansas City has some concerning names on the injury report heading toward kickoff. Defensive end Chris Jones (illness), running back Jerick McKinnon (hip) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip) each missed practice Thursday and Friday. Tackle Donovan Smith (neck) was limited Thursday but didn’t practice Friday. Meanwhile, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (personal) didn’t practice Friday while wide receiver Mecole Hardman (thumb) was limited both days. Watch for updates through the weekend on their statuses.
