One look at the AFC West standings and it’s clear: this is a big week for the Raiders. Trailing the division-leading Chiefs by a game, Oakland heads to Kansas City on Sunday to stake its claim as best in the west.
Led by superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, the Raiders’ longtime rival exploded for 28 points in one quarter the last time these teams met, back in September, on their way to a 28-10 win. But since that loss, the Raiders have shaped an identity, and it just so happens to match up well against Kansas City’s chief weakness.
Here are the players that must step up if the Raiders are to win a game that would re-shape the AFC West race.
DE Maxx Crosby
The Raiders’ chances on defense hinge on their ability to bother Mahomes when he drops back to pass, and defensive end Maxx Crosby has emerged as Oakland’s best playmaker when it comes to disrupting the offense.
His 7.5 quarterback sacks would be impressive for any player, let alone a rookie fourth-round pick from Eastern Michigan. Though the Chiefs’ pass protection is solid, having allowed just 19 sacks so far, Crosby can make an impact with QB pressure alone, aided by his long arms and a high motor.
Watch to see Crosby build on an already impressive campaign. According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, he’s one of just two NFL players with a minimum of six sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed in 2019, joining the Steelers’ T.J. Watt.
S Erik Harris
The Raiders’ best playmaker on the back end of the defense, safety Erik Harris is another player that must step up on Sunday.
With the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, which is No. 2 in the NFL in passing yards, Harris will have his chances to improve on his total of three interceptions thus far. Additionally, his two defensive touchdowns are the only such scores on the team this season, and another would drastically improve Oakland’s outlook.
More realistically, however, Harris and the defense is charged with stopping big plays this Sunday, especially with Kansas City fresh off their bye week. According to Matt Kawahara of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Raiders have allowed 55 passing plays of 20 yards or more this season, the most in the league. Watch to see if Harris can keep those miscues to a minimum, and perhaps make a big play of his own.
RB Josh Jacobs
The Raiders’ best shot to slow the Chiefs’ offense, however, is by playing a game of keep-away. Luckily for Oakland, Kansas City is susceptible to that strategy. Plus, coach Jon Gruden has just to the man to execute the plan.
Rookie running back Josh Jacobs is No. 5 in the NFL in rushing, even after gaining just 34 yards on 10 carries last week in the Raiders’ blowout loss to the Jets. If Oakland can control the time of possession and keep the clock running with a productive ground game, The Chiefs will have fewer chances to score.
Jacobs had 99 yards rushing in the Raiders’ last game against Kansas City on just 12 carries, with a 51-yard run to his credit. It was Week 2 of the season, and Jacobs’ game is stronger now. Watch him flex his muscles on Sunday in an effort to upset the Chiefs, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL.
FB Alec Ingold
If the Raiders are to keep the clock running and score points, fullback Alec Ingold must bring his “A” game.
In addition to blocking for Jacobs, his fellow rookie, Ingold is the Raiders’ short-yardage specialist, converting with regularity before falling short on a crucial 4th-and-1 against the Jets.
Gruden loves fullbacks, however, Ingold in particular, and won’t stop calling on him any time soon. In fact, watch for Gruden to get him the ball once or twice in non-short yardage situations on Sunday, likely in the passing game. It would be a good change of pace after a steady dose of Jacobs, and further set up the next player on this week’s list for a perception changing performance.
QB Derek Carr
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr faces criticism often, as do most veteran signal-callers without a playoff win. This week, however, the chatter came from his former coach in Oakland, Jack Del Rio, who said Carr struggles in cold-weather games. Carr responded during his Wednesday press conference, and Del Rio kept the narrative alive with a response of his own via Twitter.
Del Rio leans on facts to back his statement, and it’s easy to see why. Carr is 1-8 in as a starter when the temperature is below 45 degrees, averaging 181 yards through the air and a 55 percent completion rate, per Kawahara. The forecasted temperature in Kansas City Sunday is in the low 40s. Carr’s already coming off a cold-weather loss last week in New York, lending recent evidence to Del Rio’s claim.
Plus, Carr has never won in Arrowhead Stadium, posting a quarterback rating of 61.9 in five games, his worst mark in any stadium he’s played in two times or more, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.
Carr has a great opportunity Sunday to break that streak and show he’s not merely a California QB unable to handle late-season football weather. He’ll need help from Jacobs and the run game, just as he’s enjoyed all year in orchestrating Gruden’s balanced offense. He and Gruden may even be wise to hand the ball to Jacobs when the Chiefs bring extra defenders to stop him, giving the RB and the offensive line, along with Ingold, a chance to put the defense on its heels and set Carr up for play-action passes.
The Raiders have shown mental toughness all season, and this is yet another challenge. But the physical identity they’ve formed should serve them well against a formidable opponent that relies on finesse. Carr may have a bad record in cold weather, but Gruden is building a club that can win anywhere, in any conditions. Sunday will be a difficult test, and if they pass, a share of first place in the AFC West will be theirs.
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