The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders will renew their long-standing rivalry on Sunday afternoon, but this meeting has more early-season significance than expected.
The two teams entered the match undefeated at 3-0, marking the first time they have opened a season together with three consecutive victories. The winner will take sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
Kansas City is expected to return to contention after last season’s disappointment. Las Vegas was the surprise. The Raiders have matched their win total since 2025, beating the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints behind a rebuilt roster and first-year head coach Klint Kubiak.
Here are three keys to the Chiefs’ victory in Week 4:
Offensive key: Control Maxx Crosby
Kansas City’s first responsibility is preventing defensive end Maxx Crosby from taking over the game.
A proposed offseason trade that would have sent Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens fell through after the Ravens reportedly had concerns about his surgically repaired knee. Crosby stayed in Las Vegas and seemed motivated to prove those concerns were misplaced. Through three games, he has produced 17 pressures, including two sacks, four quarterback hits and 11 hurries.
The Raiders’ pass rush outlasted Crosby. Las Vegas ranks second in the NFL in pressure rate at 36%, according to Pro Football Referenceand had the fourth-most sacks in the NFL with 10, despite rarely having to blitz.
Edge rusher Malcolm Koonce recorded six pressures and a pivotal strip-sack against New Orleans, while Kwity Paye was also productive opposite Crosby.
That creates a significant challenge for Kansas City’s offensive line, particularly rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson, the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month for September; he allowed just three pressures in each of his first three games without giving up a sack. This will be his most difficult assignment.
Crosby moves along the defensive front, so the Chiefs don’t expect a blocker to hold him the whole game. They must determine his location before each snap and provide help as needed with tight ends, running backs, and protection slides.
Kansas City can also neutralize the Raiders’ pass rush by consistently running the football and using play action. A credible rushing threat can make Crosby hesitate before attacking upfield, even if only for a moment.
The Chiefs must mix in quick throws, screens, moving pockets and misdirection instead of repeatedly asking Mahomes to operate from clear passing situations. If Kansas City protects him enough to attack downfield, it could challenge a Raiders secondary that occasionally gives up chances despite an impressive defensive start.
The Chiefs don’t need to get rid of Crosby. They just don’t allow him to ruin the game.
Defensive key: Keep Brock Bowers under 75 yards
Las Vegas has a talented backfield featuring Ashton Jeanty and rookie Mike Washington Jr., but Kansas City’s main defensive concern should be tight end Brock Bowers.
Bowers missed the Raiders’ first two games after undergoing a meniscus procedure. He returned against New Orleans and immediately reminded the NFL why he is one of its most dangerous tight ends, catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. That performance earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
What makes Bowers even more difficult to defend is how Las Vegas has deployed him. He can line up as a traditional tight end, in the slot or on the outside like a wide receiver. That versatility allows the Raiders to identify favorable matchups.
It presents a challenge for a Chiefs defense that occasionally struggles when linebackers and safeties are isolated in space. Indianapolis slot receiver Josh Downs caught seven passes for 72 yards in Week 2, and Miami repeatedly used quick passes and motion to extend drives last week.
Kansas City couldn’t rely on one defender to cover Bowers all afternoon. Steve Spagnuolo should change his approach by using bracket coverage, safety help and physical contact near the line of scrimmage. Changing the coverage picture may also prevent Kirk Cousins from immediately recognizing where Bowers will be available.
Completely stopping Bowers is unrealistic. Keeping it under 75 receiving yards is a more reasonable goal.
If the Chiefs are going to prevent him from dominating the middle of the field and making explosive plays, Cousins will have to rely more on the Raiders’ other receivers to sustain drives.
X-factor: Win on third down
Third down could decide which undefeated team leaves Allegiant Stadium in control of the division.
Kansas City’s offense has converted 17 of 37 third downs this season — a 45.9% success rate. The Raiders were slightly behind at 16 of 39, or 41%.
The Chiefs converted three of seven chances against Miami, but several stalled possessions prevented them from taking complete control earlier. Against a Raiders defense that generates pressure without blitzing, staying in manageable third-down situations is important.
Kansas City cannot continue to face third-and-8 or longer and allow Crosby, Koonce and Paye to rush without respecting the run. Success on first and second down would give the Chiefs access to their entire playbook and allow Mahomes to use play action, quick passes, or the running game to move the chains.
Defensively, the Chiefs must improve on what happened against the Dolphins. Miami converted eight of 16 third downs, including several on an early 17-play drive. The Chiefs entered the game holding opponents to under 30% on third down, but quick throws and coverage breakdowns repeatedly kept Miami’s offense on the field.
Allowing Bowers and Cousins to duplicate that success would allow Las Vegas to control possession while keeping Mahomes on the sideline. Kansas City must communicate through motion, negotiate immediately after the catch, and find ways to pressure Cousins without leaving Bowers isolated against a linebacker.
Offensively, Kansas City needs to contain Crosby by helping its tackles, maintaining its commitment to the running game and using play action to create opportunities downfield. Defensively, the Chiefs must limit Bowers’ favorable matchups and keep him under 75 receiving yards. On both sides of the football, they must continue to win on third down.
If Kansas City accomplishes those three things, it will have a good chance to improve to 4-0, take sole possession of first place in the AFC West, and remind Las Vegas that the division is still in the Chiefs’ running.