Sunday's Chiefs Game Is a Statement Opportunity. Will the Raiders Take It?
A 3-0 record is impressive. A win over Kansas City would be transformative. Here's why Week 4 matters more than any game this decade.
Diana Reyes
Defense Analyst
Let's be honest about what Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs actually means. It is not just Week 4 of the regular season. It is a referendum on whether this Raiders team is for real. Three wins over the Dolphins, Chargers, and Saints are encouraging. A win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would be something else entirely.
The Chiefs come to Allegiant Stadium at 2-1, already looking slightly vulnerable by their standards. Mahomes has thrown three interceptions. Their offensive line has allowed 9 sacks. The window is open, and Maxx Crosby is the kind of player who can climb through it.
"Three wins over the Dolphins, Chargers, and Saints are encouraging. A win over Patrick Mahomes would be something else entirely."
For the Raiders, the formula is clear. Control the line of scrimmage on both sides. Make Mahomes uncomfortable. Keep the game close into the fourth quarter and trust Kirk Cousins to execute when it matters. It is a plan that can work. Whether it will work is the question that makes Sunday must-watch television.
The Raiders have not beaten the Chiefs in their last six meetings. That streak ends Sunday, or it doesn't. Either way, we will know a great deal more about who this team really is when the final whistle blows.
Diana Reyes
Defense Analyst