KC Chiefs vs. LV Raiders: NFL Week 16 Preview and Predictions
The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders will soon kick off in their Week 16 battle with plenty on the line. Both teams know what's at stake, and the home club is hoping to cap off its Christmas slate with a big-time win over a division rival.
First and foremost, Andy Reid's squad needs a win to keep any real chance of staying in the race for the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed. Outside of that, though, the Christmas Day matchup at home also has AFC West implications. With a Kansas City victory, it would make it eight AFC West titles in a row. It's a simple win-and-in scenario for the Chiefs this week, with a tie also eliminating any possibility of the Denver Broncos coming back and catching them in the division.
Don't assume that Las Vegas will just roll over, though. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce has this team playing inspired football, especially coming off a huge blowout win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders have yet to be mathematically taken out of the playoff picture, so they'll likely put up a fight despite the Chiefs being heavily favored.
How will Monday's game unfold? The Arrowhead Report crew makes their predictions.
Joshua Brisco: Unless the Raiders are extremely dedicated to snatching Christmas joy from a full stadium of festive fans, the Chiefs should have every intangible advantage in this matchup. The Raiders will be on the road playing a game that kicks off at 10 a.m. Las Vegas time on Christmas morning, as a team that won't make the playoffs. All the Chiefs have to do is funnel some of that Christmas spirit into a high-energy start and avoid self-inflicted wounds. ...If only it were that easy. Keep an eye on Richie James, who should have plenty of opportunities without Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore or Mecole Hardman in the lineup. I still trust the Chiefs' defense more than the offense, but both sides should do enough to get it done before Christmas dinner.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Raiders 13
Jordan Foote: Chiefs vs. Raiders should have a similar result the second time around. I'm rolling with another 14-point win for Patrick Mahomes and company. On the offensive side of the ball, something to keep an eye on is how things look with a slightly different wide receiver rotation. Could a pared-down group be a blessing in disguise? That, combined with a potential hot start on defense, should be enough for Kansas City to lock up the AFC West and move forward as it continues to pursue a comeback for the one-seed in the conference.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Raiders 13
Mark Van Sickle: The Chiefs and Raiders are lining up on Christmas Day in what should be a fun, old-fashioned AFC West showdown. The Chiefs' defense should bring quarterback Aidan O’Connell and the Raider offense back down to earth after last week’s explosion against the Chargers. On the Chiefs' side on offense, hopefully things look smooth without Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney this week. Getting Pacheco back should be a nice boost for KC and hopefully Rashee Rice continues to shine. It would be fun to see Travis Kelce go for 76+ yards and break the 1,000-yard barrier again. Give this one to the good guys and give them an eighth straight AFC West title.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Raiders 13
Zack Eisen: It’s a hat and t-shirt game for the Chiefs on Christmas Day. With playoff seeding on the line, expect Kansas City to be focused at home and take care of business pretty easily. Steve Spagnuolo should be gearing up toward playoff mode, which means the defense figured to be at its best. As for the offense, hopefully we will start seeing them string together clean stretches of football as they head towards the playoffs. Overall, Christmas should be easy for Chiefs fans as the organization clinches their eighth straight division title and secures yet another home playoff game with Patrick Mahomes.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Raiders 13
Conner Christopherson: A Christmas Day game at home? That is quite a time for the Chiefs. Hopefully in this game against the Raiders, the Chiefs can deliver many presents in the form of touchdowns for Chiefs fans who have been asking for them all year. With the shakeup at wide receiver seemingly happening now due to Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney both out with injury plus Isiah Pacheco back, a more functional Chiefs offense is definitely on the table.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Raiders 19
