Raiders @ Chiefs game preview:

On Friday, the Chiefs welcome the 2-9 Las Vegas Raiders to Arrowhead, looking to wrap up the season sweep of their division rival. On paper, this feels like a breeze. I mean, Aiden O’Connell starting at quarterback? At Arrowhead? On a holiday? Surely, nothing has ever gone wrong in this exact scenario before.

...Right?

Here’s the thing: if I’d written this article nine days ago, before the Chiefs took their first L of the season in Buffalo, I would’ve had to mention that O’Connell and the Raiders were actually the last team to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead... on a holiday... on Christmas Day, no less. Yes, that game was basically the plot of "The Grinch" but with Maxx Crosby as the mean green guy and KC’s offense as Whoville.

Now, fast-forward to Thanksgiving week, and the Raiders are back, ready to carve up another holiday upset. But let’s not get carried away. Kansas City has Patrick Mahomes, a 10-1 record, and—this time—an entire fanbase that’s not going to let the Raiders ruin two consecutive holiday meals.

So are we fine? Probably. Will it be closer than we’d like? Definitely. Will I have PTSD from Crosby lining up across Wanya Morris on a pivotal 4th and 2? Absolutely. But hey, isn’t that just part of the Chiefs' holiday tradition?

---

Key Matchups to Watch:

Chiefs Pass Rush vs. Aiden O’Connell

Last Sunday in Carolina, Bryce Young could’ve set up a hammock and started a book club in the pocket—he had that much time. The Chiefs’ pass rush was giving major Home Alone 2 energy the way their stars were NOT getting home.

But there’s hope on the horizon. Charles Omenihu, the Chiefs' versatile edge rusher who’s been sidelined all season recovering from the ACL tear he suffered in last year’s AFC Championship Game, was a full participant in practice today (Tuesday). That’s big. Omenihu’s return gives the Chiefs defense another weapon up front, but let’s pump the brakes—he’s fresh off a major injury, so it’s going to take some time before he’s back to peak form.

In the meantime, it’s time for Chris Jones to get some help. Jones has been the target of doubles, triples, and probably the Panthers' offensive line coach shouting, “Just hold him, they won’t call it every time!” So where are George Karlaftis and Mike Danna? Both have had moments this season, but they’ll need to step up and take advantage of 1-on-1 matchups, especially against a Raiders offensive line that’s... let’s just say susceptible.

And speaking of missing pieces—when the coaching staff locates Josh Uche (and his talent), it’d be nice to see him get a few meaningful snaps.

Here’s the bottom line: If the Chiefs' D-line can make life miserable for Aiden O’Connell—force him into quick throws, turnovers, or just ruin his Thanksgiving altogether—Kansas City’s defense will look a lot more like the dominant unit it’s capable of being.

Chief's tackles vs. Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby vs. the Chiefs’ tackles—name a more consistent holiday tradition. Crosby, the Raiders’ one-man wrecking crew, has been his usual destructive self this season with 6.5 sacks in 11 games. Sure, he didn’t get to Mahomes the last time these teams met, but don’t let that fool you; Crosby is like that one gift you hope you won’t get every year, but there he is, unwrapping your offense one snap at a time.

On Friday, it’s up to Wanya Morris—still holding down the left tackle spot, at least until DJ Humphries gets up to speed—to slow down Crosby. If that matchup doesn’t inspire confidence, you’re not alone. Crosby has game-wrecker potential, and letting him camp out in the backfield is the quickest way to ruin Thanksgiving.

The Chiefs’ mission is simple: keep Patrick Mahomes upright, or risk a repeat of last year’s Christmas chaos. Because if Crosby gets cooking, the only thing more painful than watching him will be eating your aunt's candied yams.

Chief's secondary vs. Brock Bowers

Hat’s off to Brock Bowers, the tight end so good, even Travis Kelce is trying to snag his jersey after games. With 744 yards on 74 receptions and 3 touchdowns, he’s on pace to finish his rookie season with 119 catches for 1,200 yards and 5 scores. For context, the most receptions by a rookie tight end ever is 86 (shoutout to Sam LaPorta). So yeah, Bowers isn’t just any rookie—he’s already eyeing Kelce’s throne like a tight end heir apparent, and he might be sitting on it already.

Now, how exactly do the Chiefs plan to deal with this stud? Well, considering their track record of letting average tight ends morph into Rob Gronkowski for a day, this one’s going to be a tough ask. Justin Reid, Chamarri Conner, and the rest of the secondary are going to need their A-game. Keep Bowers under control, let Trent McDuffie lock down the top wideout, and suddenly Aiden O'Connell is left with more than just a turkey to carve.

Last time the Chiefs faced Bowers, they held him to 58 yards, which is a win—especially considering he's the go-to guy in Vegas' offense. If they can keep him around that mark, there’s a good chance the Chiefs will be carving up a W.

---

X-Factors

X-Factor 1: Noah Gray

On the subject of impressive tight ends, let’s talk about our guy, Noah Gray, who, by the way, has scored more touchdowns in his last two games than Brock Bowers has all season... cue dramatic pause. Okay, fine—Noah may not be Brock Bowers, but the fourth-year man out of Duke has been a clutch performer for the Chiefs all year. I mean, I wrote about him two months ago comparing him to Travis Kelce (yes, THE Travis Kelce), so it’s fair to say some of us have been seeing this breakout coming for a while now.

If Noah can keep this hot streak going and snag 3 or 4 catches that move the chains and put points on the board, he could be a game-changer for KC. Heck, we might even be reaching the point where Gray starts to distract defenses from Kelce in heavier personnel—yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but when was the last time the Chiefs had two tight ends who could actually do things? It's a nice problem to have, and if Gray keeps it up, we could be looking at an offense with two legit weapons at tight end. Get ready, the Noah Gray era might be upon us... or at least a very strong supporting cast in the Kelce production.

X-Factor 2: Nazeeh Johnson

Usually, I like to pick one X-factor on each side of the ball, but let’s be honest—Bowers and Crosby have already gotten their due. Outside of that, the Raiders aren’t exactly bringing the heat, so let’s talk about Nazeeh Johnson, Chiefs corner and current stand-in for the injured Jaylen Watson.

Let’s face it, Johnson’s had a bit of a rough month. It’s not entirely his fault, though—he's been stuck trying to pick up the slack for a secondary that’s been in a bit of a tailspin, especially with Joshua Williams’ very noticeable regression. Johnson’s been forced into a significant role, asked to cover wide receivers, but more often than not, he’s been... let’s just say a work-in-progress.

If Johnson starts getting torched by lesser Raiders receivers, things could get tricky for the Chiefs. The secondary might need to take some attention away from Brock Bowers and shift focus to helping Johnson, which could leave holes elsewhere. If Aiden O’Connell gets the green light to keep picking on Johnson, don’t be surprised if the Raiders start making this a game they shouldn’t be in.

But hey, I’m rooting for you, Nazeeh! Go out there and show the world what you’ve got. Time to silence the haters and show that this cornerback room isn’t just about the big names—you can make plays too!

---

Prediction

Basically, I think the Chiefs will win—but let’s be real, it’s gonna be a Chiefs game, so expect a one-score nail-biter where your blood pressure goes through the roof. So, I’ll go with 24-20 Chiefs, with KC doing just enough to barely scrape by, only to make you sweat through those last five minutes of the fourth quarter like it's some sort of twisted postseason preview. You know the drill—we’ll all survive the rollercoaster... barely. But hey, that’s what keeps us coming back for more.