Disorienting as it may sound given the past 12 years of Chiefs-Raiders matchups, their game Sunday in Las Vegas is one of the blockbusters of the young NFL season. Kansas City have used Las Vegas (and before that, Oakland) as a doormat since the 2015 season, when Patrick Mahomes was a sophomore at Texas Tech. The Chiefs took both games from the Raiders that year and began a run of 18 wins in the teams’ last 22 contests, an unusual run of AFC West dominance in a league that adores parity.
The Chiefs are favored again this week, but by less than a touchdown. The Silver and Black come in sporting a matching 3-0 record with their Missourian visitors. Kirk Cousins has found the fountain of youth at 38, keeping No 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza in an understudy’s role for at least a while longer. The 38-year-old has averaged at least 7.5 yards per pass attempt in each of the team’s three wins, two of which came on the road. The Raiders have benefited from a light opening schedule, taking advantage of games against the moribund Dolphins and Saints. Now comes a stiff test in the desert.
