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Chiefs Defender Giving Team Inside Intel on QB Matchup in Week 13

One Kansas City Chiefs defender has given the team some QB-related intel on a former teammate before Week 13's clash vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.

By Devon Platana

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talk on the sidelines against the Denver Broncos during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talk on the sidelines against the Denver Broncos during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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After nearly falling to the Carolina Panthers in Week 12, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to re-establish themselves as Super Bowl favorites when they host the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. The Chiefs already defeated the Raiders in Week 8, leaving Andy Reid & Co. aiming for the season sweep in Week 13.

Even though the Chiefs are more than familiar with their division rivals, it's unclear what the Raiders' quarterback situation will look like come Black Friday. Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone over the weekend, meaning backups Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder will handle the QB duties.

NFL teams welcome any edge that helps them win games, which is why the Chiefs are thrilled that one of their defenders has some intel on one of the Raiders' signal-callers.

Chiefs News: Bryan Cook Shares Intel on Raiders QB

On Tuesday, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo acknowledged that the team "could see one or two different types of quarterbacks" when the Raiders come to town. While Kansas City is familiar with one of Las Vegas' QB options, a certain defender has helped with the other.

"Listen we've faced O'Connell before," Spagnuolo told A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman."Bryan Cook was a teammate of Ridder's, so we have a little insight this week."

After beginning his college football career at Howard, Cook transferred to Cincinnati in 2019, where he met Ridder. The duo played a big role in the program going 33-5 across the next three seasons before parting ways at the 2022 NFL draft. Cook was drafted 62nd overall by the Chiefs while Ridder went 12 picks later to the Atlanta Falcons.

Since then, Cook has grown into a starting safety for the Chiefs, winning a pair of Super Bowls, while Ridder is struggling to prove that he can be a starting QB. The 25-year-old passer has only gone 8-9 while completing 63.9% of passes for 3,682 passing yards and 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 22 appearances (17 starts) between the Falcons and Raiders.

Having said that, there isn't a ton of tape on Ridder this season given that he's only attempted 26 throws under center. That's likely why Spagnuolo and the rest of the coaching staff are thankful to have Cook's insider intel.

Meanwhile, Friday's showdown could be the Chiefs' first time facing O'Connell since last season if he draws the start. The ex-Purdue signal-caller faced Kansas City twice as a rookie, going 1-1 with 310 passing yards, one touchdown, a 59.3% completion rate, and an 81.6 passer rating.

The Chiefs' defense could use a convincing performance after giving up 24-plus points in three of their last four games. Fortunately, the Raiders' current QB situation indicates a good chance of that happening.

Oddsmakers are also confident in Kansas City's immediate outlook. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Chiefs are 12.5-point favorites over the Raiders ahead of Friday's Week 13 matchup.

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