Both the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders are perfect through three games and meet on Sunday in Sin City.
Surprised the Raiders are undefeated?
In truth, I am just as surprised that the Chiefs have survived three games without suffering a loss. Kansas City won only six games last season, had their star quarterback coming off his first major injury, and their tight end suspected of allowing age to catch up with him. The quarterback is of course Patrick Mahomes, and the tight end Travis Kelce, but the new hero with the Chiefs is runningback Kenneth Walker III.
Last season, Walker was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player after leading the Seahawks to a win over the New England Patriots. He joined the Chiefs this year and opened his career for Andy Reid’s team with 174 rushing yards in spearheading Kansas City’s season opening triumph over the Denver Broncos.
Instead of Kansas City continuing on a downward trajectory from last year’s disappointing season, they are flying high again. Imagine a squad with a quarterback as effective as Mahomes teaming with what may prove to be the best runner in the game this season.
So, when the Chiefs visit Las Vegas, lay the four points and laugh all the way to the slot machines in the airport?
Maybe not.
The Raiders are playing a tight brand of football under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. Their defense, which is anchored by Maxx Crosby, who was traded during the offseason to the Baltimore Ravens in a deal that the receiving team rescinded when Crosby failed to pass his physical.
That was perhaps the biggest break the Raiders got during the off-season.
They were unloading their best defensive player while looking to build a new roster through the draft. That, with thoughts that a three-win season last year was an indicator they needed a lot more than one of their best veterans to rise back to the NFL elite teams.
Turns out, maybe they don’t.
Kirk Cousins is getting a large chunk of his salary paid for by the Atlanta Falcons, $8.7 million of his $20 million dollar compensation in 2026. He is playing like a topflight quarterback through the start of this season which gives the Raiders a bonus price for their starting quarterback and have first overall draft choice Fernando Mendoza learning from the vet.
It is a good situation.
Not only is the Raiders offense successful both through the air and on the ground, their defense, still anchored by Crosby’s skills, has limited their first three opponents to a total of 54 points.
And still, the Silver and Black are getting little respect and are home underdogs tomorrow when the Chiefs come calling.
Yes, it is the Chiefs, and they have beaten the Raiders in 21 of their most recent 28 meetings. But in those same 28 games the Raiders are nearly even on the point spread results with 13 wins against 15 losses.
They are getting points again on Sunday, and it appears they are still at least one week away from getting the respect they have coming … which would likely come if they were to hand the Chiefs their first 2026 defeat. That is a huge challenge, but staying within the four-point spread a much more attainable prospect.
Qoxhi Picks: Las Vegas Raiders (+4) over Kansas City Chiefs