Raiders Opponent Scouting: Chiefs Defense

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to find offensive consistency this season.

After putting up only 13 points against the Miami Dolphins, the Raiders return home to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The Raiders are looking to defeat their AFC West rivals for the first time since 2020.

The Chiefs have been one of the best teams in the league again this season despite the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, and they are the team to beat in the AFC. While the Chiefs are a good offensive team, they have also put up some impressive defensive performances this season.

The Chiefs’ defense is led by Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has been one of the most respected coordinators in the NFL for many years. He has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and was the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator when they won Super Bowl XLII.

Spagnuolo is known for his 4-3 base defense and aggressive nature, often sending blitzes from his defensive backs. Cornerback Trent McDuffie had two sacks against the Eagles. The Chiefs sent a blitz on nearly 34 percent of drop-backs, which ranks fifth in the NFL.

They have the personnel to do it, too. The Chiefs have lots of talent on the defensive side of the ball, and they rank fourth in the NFL in total defense and have allowed the third-fewest points in the league.

On the defensive line, star defensive lineman Chris Jones continues to play well with 22 total tackles and seven and a half sacks. The Raiders’ offensive line will have their hands full trying to keep him out of the backfield. Second-year defensive end George Karlaftis is having a breakout season with six sacks.

The Chiefs are missing linebacker Nick Bolton, who sustained a wrist injury earlier in the season. Bolton led the Chiefs in tackles in each of the last two seasons, but Willie Gay and Drue Tranquill have filled in nicely for him.

In the secondary, McDuffie is having an excellent second season with 44 total tackles, five pass break ups and four forced fumbles. McDuffie ranks as a top 10 cornerback in the league on Pro Football Focus.

Bryan Cook and Mike Edwards man the safety spots, and each of them has played well this season. L'Jarius Sneed and Justin Reid also are impressive players in the Chiefs' secondary.

The Raiders have struggled to move the ball this season, and now they face a tough Chiefs defense that has not allowed opponents to move the ball or get into the end zone against them.

Interim Coach Antonio Pierce and Interim Offensive Coordinator Bo Hardegree need to push all the right buttons to put rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell in a position to pull the upset against the Chiefs.

The Silver and Black will return home this week to celebrate Thanksgiving and take on their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 26, at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST.

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