KC Chiefs: What we learned about the AFC West after Week 11

What did we learn about the Las Vegas Raiders?

Travis Kelce joked during the week leading up to this matchup that this was the Raiders’ Super Bowl. Vegas had knocked off the Chiefs in Week 5 and took it upon themselves to do victory laps around Arrowhead Stadium after the win.

The Raiders were out to prove that their Week 5 win over the defending Super Bowl champions wasn’t a fluke and that this team was indeed on the right track. They certainly proved that on Sunday night and were it not for late-game heroics from Patrick Mahomes once again, the Raiders would have swept Kansas City for the first time since 2012, which was the year before Andy Reid took over as the Chiefs head coach.

For the first time in a long time, I can say with certainty that the Raiders are a scary team. I didn’t fall for their 12-4 record in 2016 because I knew the only reason they were winning was because of that offensive line. This year, however, the Raiders have a new look and a new swagger about them.

Derek Carr has never been a favorite of mine (he blocked me on Twitter a few years ago), but he’s playing well. The run game is going to be solid as long as Josh Jacobs is healthy. Darren Waller is one of the best tight ends in the league (but not the best, we all know who has that crown). The offensive line is tremendous.

The defense had a rough night, but so did Kansas City’s. That’s really the only blemish on the Raiders’ team right now and that’ll probably be why they won’t make a deep run in the playoffs, assuming they make it. Vegas might not win the AFC West this year, but we learned that they’re rounding the corner and they will be coming for the AFC West title next year. Best believe it.

Next up: The Raiders will face the Falcons in Atlanta and the game kicks off at noon Arrowhead time.