In a shocking turn of events to start the 2026 season, the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the 3-0 Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. So far this year, the Raiders have proven under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak that they are for real. Las Vegas finally does have a solid team, and more than that, a strong pass rush.
There was some expectation that the first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza, would be in the lineup, and Steve Spagnuolo could take advantage of a rookie quarterback. Instead, it's been the veteran Kirk Cousins who has kept the Raiders offense afloat and is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns (9). Life has been made easier on Cousins through a bevy of playmakers, at the center of it, second-year back Ashton Jeanty, and arguably the best current tight end in the NFL, Brock Bowers.
Bowers made his return last week and was targeted 13 times, catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a score. For years, the Chiefs have had trouble covering upper-echelon tight ends, and it's been no different through three games. All three lead tight ends the Chiefs have faced so far have put up some solid numbers, two of which have scored TDs.
Bringing us to Jeanty, whose explosive ability is off the charts. He is a true three-down back who can run between the tackles, cut it outside, and is a threat in the receiving game. Jeanty is only averaging 3.3 yards per carry, but has yet to have his true breakout game this year. Let's hope it's not this week.
Chiefs have tall task ahead to shut down Raiders offensive weaponry
Kubiak deserves a lot of credit for managing a scheme and system that features these weapons as well as pushing secondary targets to put their best foot forward. Michael Mayor, the backup tight end, started the season as the team's primary option and has offered a touchdown as well as nearly 100 receiving yards, averaging four catches a game. While the numbers aren't eye-popping, Mayor is more than capable of hurting the Chiefs.
What should not keep Spags and the secondary up at night in the Raiders' wideouts. Tre Tucker is a fine player, but the 5'8", 185 lbs receiver is not close to having the skill set of a number one option, nor probably a second choice. The Chiefs' bigger corners, Nohl Williams and Mansoor Delane, should be able to keep Tucker and these wideouts in check.
It is a great test for Spagnuolo's young defense, which is looking for a bit of a bounce-back performance after a Colts game in which they surrendered 30 points and a Miami contest where things just looked out of sorts. For the Chiefs, it is a chance to grab sole control of the AFC West and remind the rest of the league yet again that their demise was celebrated far too soon.
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