Raiders' QB Aidan O'Connell Chiefs Week

The Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) are set to take on the World Champion Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) tomorrow, Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs want to fend off theorizing Silver and Black and their InterimHead Coach, Antonio Pierce.

The Raiders want to keep their NFL Playoff dreams alive and deliver a body punch to their arch-AFC West rivals. The game is sure to be a slugfest.

Above, you can watch O'Connell's entire press conference, and you can read the transcript below:

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell

Q: Does it help that you guys just recently played the Chiefs in terms of getting prepped for this one? O'Connell: "I think obviously it wasn't too long ago and we know they're obviously going to do some of the same things and some they're going to change it up a little bit. And so, every week is a new game, I say it a lot. Every week is a new opportunity. They'll have different things in, so it's going to take a lot of execution and it's going to take a really good game by us."

Q: Coach Pierce talked about the noise level and said that you guys want to bring your own noise, but Arrowhead is one of the loudest stadiums. How much impact will that have on what you guys do with the offensive line? O'Connell: "Yeah, obviously, it's another factor that you have to deal with that we haven't had to at home. And so, yeah, it's going be different. It's going to take another layer of communication from us. So, it's going to take a lot, specifically this week, in terms of trying to make it harder on ourselves during practice to try and go execute."

Q: Tre Tucker was saying he feels a special connection with you and that you guys bonded dating all the way back to rookie minicamp. What went into that with you guys clicking? O'Connell: "Yeah, like he said, I think when you come in with somebody and we've been through a lot together, rookie minicamp, first and foremost, and then everything from there, OTAs, training camp, into the season. I think we're experiencing a lot of the same things for the first time, and I think that gives you a special connection with somebody. And Tre's an awesome guy. He's a great player. From our first week together, I remember talking to him about the routes we're trying to learn and different concepts and stuff, and our heads were definitely spinning a little bit. But it's been fun to see his development and his growth. He works super hard; it's rewarding for him."

Q: When you have a legit deep threat like Tre Tucker, do you notice anything in terms of defensively how it kind of keeps teams honest in terms of moving around and disguising stuff? O'Connell: "Yeah, I think obviously he's a threat every time he's on the field. Everybody knows about the speed, it's no secret. And so, we try to utilize him as much as we can. He's a really good player. He's a smart player, instinctive, and just naturally really blessed. So, it's fun to watch him. I wish I could run like that. But yeah, he's been a dynamic player for us."

Q: Going back to that first game against the Chiefs. What were some things that you believe that you did well that you feel like you have to continue in this rematch? O'Connell: "Yeah, I think anytime you play a team like this, you got to stay within yourself, play one play at a time. Obviously, there's history between the two teams, but I think in any game you have to lock in on each play, each situation, try to stay ahead of the sticks and just make smart decisions. So, I know I have to do that to give us an opportunity to win."

Q: It was kind of a coming out party for Tre last game with his first two NFL touchdowns. How happy were you for him last Thursday? O'Connell: "Yeah, super happy. I think it's been a long time coming. I'm sure he would have wished it would have happened earlier, but I think he's going to score a lot of touchdowns in this league. And so, it was awesome to see him succeed on the big stage like that. He deserves it. Like I said, he's worked super hard. Studies, works on his body, does everything right. So, it was really cool to see."

Q: A lot was made about Bo Hardegree being up in the booth last game. Does that change anything at all in terms of what you have on the field with him up there? O'Connell: "Yeah, I think obviously a little different. I'm used to coming off the sideline and him being there, but we can have direct communication through a headset or through whatever else. And so, it was definitely a little change, a little getting used to, especially at the beginning of the game. But once you're playing, you're playing."

On Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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