Raiders

Legend Weighs In On What Raiders Offense Must Do To Beat Chiefs

One of the most important matchups for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 is about to happen. They will take on an undefeated Kansas City Chiefs team that won’t be easy to beat. One legend believes the Silver and Black can come out of Arrowhead with a win if they do certain things.

The Raiders have enough weapons on their roster even with all the injuries

Although injuries have ravaged the Raiders in recent weeks, they still have good players on the roster. Quarterback Derek Carr is as efficient as they come while running back Josh Jacobs will always fight for extra yards. Tight end Darren Waller continues to perform at a high level and sophomore Hunter Renfrow has been his reliable self in 2020. Also, free-agent pickup Nelson Agholor has made a few clutch catches when the team has needed him.

The Raiders will get a boost if wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and tackle Trent Brown suit up. Even though the team listed them as questionable in their latest injury report, they were full participants of Friday’s practice. At this point, it’s a flip coin whether they will play against the Chiefs.

On the other hand, the Raiders offense no doubt has flaws, mainly in their offensive line. They have greatly missed left guard Richie Incognito since he went down with an Achilles injury and left tackle Kolton Miller has struggled at times. As admirably as Denzelle Good and Sam Young have played at left tackle, they aren’t at the same level as Brown. The unit would surely benefit as a whole if its starting right tackle gets the nod to play.

Related: Raiders Quarter Season Review: The Good, The Bad, The Guenther

Two keys on offense to beat the Chiefs

In spite of their shortcomings, the Raiders can beat the Chiefs if their offense aggressively attacks the Chiefs defense. In a guest appearance at for the Silver and Black Show, Raiders legend Jim Plunkett says they can’t be conservative and need to stretch the field. He also added that they need to score plenty of points.

The offensive coaches, the coordinator, and Derek Carr, they know they’ll probably have to put some points. They’re going to have to take some chances somewhere down the line and put up some points. I don’t think it’s going to be a 10-7 ball game by any means and they realize that. Number one, control the football, keep it away from Kansas City, which is difficult to do because they lead in time of position. You’ve got to take your chances down the field and come up with some big plays. You have to put points on the board against this very explosive football team.

By our own count, Plunkett said the Raiders need to score points three times. He also mentioned twice they need to take some shots downfield twice. It may sound repetitive, but he isn’t wrong. If anything, it’s great he made those two comments a point of emphasis.

It’s easier said than done but it’s doable

The Raiders offense works on precision passes and ball control. They try the deep ball every now and then but not too often. Carr likes to throw to the check-downs and if opposing teams take them away, he becomes hesitant. The team as a whole must find ways to get around that. If they do it, they will have a shot at keeping up with the Chiefs offense and winning at Arrowhead for the first time since 2012.

In theory, it sounds easy. However, not many teams have had much luck beating the Chiefs recently. The Raiders will be the latest team to try to come out of Arrowhead with a ‘win’. Can they do it? Sure. Will they do it? We’ll find out soon.

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