Raiders Defense Put the Team On Its Shoulders Again

Under Interim Coach Antonio Pierce, the Las Vegas Raiders have fully transitioned into a defensively led team. The unit left its mark against Kansas City.

Weeks after Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham challenged his defense to be great and not good, Las Vegas' defense has had three consecutive successful outings. 

In eight of their last 12 quarters, the Raiders defense held opposing offenses to zero points. 

Three of those eight quarters were against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the best offenses in the National Football League. 

In the first quarter of their Christmas Day game, Las Vegas held the Chiefs to minus-18 yards of total offense. That is the fewest yards allowed in the first quarter of an NFL game this season and the fewest yards allowed in a first quarter in the NFL since 2004. 

The Raiders' defense scored as many points on Monday as Kansas City's high-powered offense, scoring two touchdowns on consecutive possessions in the second quarter. 

Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols returned a Chiefs fumble for a touchdown, followed by an interception returned for a touchdown by cornerback Jack Jones.

The Raiders have five defensive touchdowns this season, which ranks fifth in the NFL. It is the most touchdowns the Raiders have had on defense since 2000. 

Considering the Raiders finished last in the NFL in turnovers last season, Las Vegas' defense is doing its best to answer Graham's challenge. 

The Raiders have the lowest-paid defense in the National Football League, yet continue to improve every week. Graham and Las Vegas' defense held Mahomes to one of the worst overall games of his career on Christmas day. 

It is tough to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs in a game during which rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell didn't complete a pass after the first quarter. 

That is a feat most other teams would not be able to accomplish, but it was made possible by the outstanding play of Las Vegas' defense. 

Graham has exceeded expectations with the job he has done with Las Vegas' defense this season. Las Vegas spent many more resources on their offense than their defense this season, yet their defense has been the main attraction. 

If the Raiders can find their way into the playoffs, not many teams will want to face this Raiders defense. 

The Silver and Black continue the season on New Year's Eve versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Don't miss it on Sunday, December 31, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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