It’s Week 8 for the Las Vegas Raiders as the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs make their way to Sin City. Let’s see what the Ramble staff predicts for this pivotal matchup, which no doubt both teams circled on their calendars (though for different reasons).
As the offseason took center stage for the Silver and Black, all we heard about was how head coach Antonio Pierce had discovered a special formula. The recipe to defeating Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Then, players doubled down alongside their coach. You have cornerback Jack Jones, who recently stated that no one fears Mahomes in the Raiders locker room. Remember when Trey Taylor famously took a Kermit puppet and openly mocked Mahomes, thanks to an attention-seeking fan?
Yeah, the Chiefs haven’t forgotten.
As for the Raiders, all of their “yapping” perpetrated by Pierce and Co. aside, they find themselves at 2-5 as many fans begin to embrace “tanking.” Either this situation will escalate quickly and turn into a bloodbath, or perhaps Pierce has a point if we witness a repeat of last year’s Christmas.
Las Vegas Raiders Week 8 Predictions – The Raider Ramble staff
Mario Tovar (@TheTovarMario)
Chiefs 27-10
There’s zero belief that the Raiders will be able to do much offensively against the Chiefs. That’s especially true on the ground, as the Chiefs feature the fourth-best rushing defense as of this publishing. Gardner Minshew is going to cause a bevy of turnovers—two, maybe three. Still, the Raiders defense is going to be ready to play, and you can count on Maxx Crosby and Patrick Graham showing up for this; neither wants to lose to the Chiefs.
Alex Monfreda (@AlexMonfreda)
Raiders 22-10
Week 8 will unfold in one of two ways: Kansas City finally finds their groove and wins big or one team scrapes out a win in the final minute. The Raiders are currently working with a three-game losing streak while the Chiefs haven’t lost a contest yet this season, but both clubs are a handful of plays away from having the exact opposite season up to this point—the two teams are closer than their records indicate.
If Las Vegas is able to keep this one close, don’t be surprised if they’re the ones who shock the NFL world by spoiling Kansas City’s undefeated season. After all, it was the Raiders who were the last team to walk away with a victory against the Chiefs. However, the Raiders have suffered a double-digit deficit in each of their seven contests thus far. If Patrick Mahomes gets up by two scores early, they won’t look back. Let’s get crazy here: Raiders win 22-20 in a game where more field goals are kicked than touchdowns are scored.
Trevis Dampier Jr. (@trevisjay_)
Chiefs 27-20
Raiders desperately want to beat the Chiefs, and quarterback struggles continue. The Raiders bench Minshew, ushering in the era of Desmond Ridder. Mahomes will play a little better than he has all season. Kelce and Bowers will have their hands all over this game. The Raiders will not be able to overcome the many turnovers.
Cam Archer (@CamArcher)
Chiefs 33-6
The Raiders get a chance to prove they have the formula to defeat the undefeated, two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Spoiler Alert: They do not have the formula. This is a divisional rivalry game. We could be in for a low-scoring dogfight. But it’s more like that Pat “King Kermit” Mahomes breaks out of his so-called early season slump at the expense of Antonio Pierce and Co.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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