HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — As much as it would pain the average Raiders fan to admit, the Chiefs are the standard that Las Vegas needs to try to reach.
Even more painful for Raiders supporters, their team isn’t close to that level.
But their AFC West rivals have provided a roadmap for Las Vegas and other teams hoping to get into the orbit of a franchise that has appeared in four of the past five Super Bowls and won three of them.
The Chiefs enter Sunday’s game at Las Vegas 6-0 and on a 12-game winning streak, their last defeat occurring at home last Christmas to the Raiders.
But the Raiders head into the rematch on a three-game losing streak and with a 2-5 record. They are unsettled at quarterback, inconsistent on defense and can’t get out of their own way with a minus-13 turnover ratio that is last in the NFL.
“We’ve got to go out there and not beat ourselves,” Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett said. “Just focus on the details. They do a good job of not beating themselves. … They’re doing a lot of things right.”
The Chiefs have two essential pieces in place — top-level quarterback and coach.
Patrick Mahomes has gone from leading a score-at-any-time offense to a quarterback who, while still capable of delivering spectacular plays, uses his intellect and guile as much as his physical gifts.
His 61.2 QBR is the lowest in his career. Mahomes has thrown a league-high eight interceptions to just six touchdown passes. And yet the Chiefs haven’t lost, with Mahomes working hand-in-hand with play-calling guru Andy Reid.
“Even with what’s going on in the season with interceptions, he’s still playing his best ball,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “There’s some stuff that he does that is just not accounted for. I think credit to them and Andy Reid of how they adjusted to different personnel groupings, the injuries just like us, and they’re finding ways to win.”
The Raiders are finding creative ways to lose, and they don’t have the franchise quarterback to compete with Mahomes and the Chiefs. Gardner Minshew, who also has thrown eight interceptions, lost his starting job after five games only to get it back when Aidan O’Connell broke the thumb on his passing hand in Sunday’s 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Las Vegas signed Desmond Ridder off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, so he could get an opportunity if Minshew continues to struggle.
Luke Getsy still needs to show he’s the right person to coach whoever is the quarterback, and Pierce moved the offensive coordinator upstairs to the press box at Los Angeles. Pierce, who’s in his first season as the full-time coach, also faces his own questions given several iffy in-game decisions.
But the Chiefs are largely where they are this season because of their defense.
They allow 17.2 points per game, fifth in the NFL. They are especially stout against the run in giving up a 90.5-yard average, fourth best.
“There’s a reason they’ve been winning and been doing it for a long time,” Minshew said. “They’ve got some great players over there. Starts with 95 (Chris Jones). Got to have a plan for him. He does great. And then (coordinator Steve) Spagnuolo, he dials it up, he gives you a lot of different looks. They disguise really well. They all work together well.”
The Raiders are closer to Kansas City defensively than offensively, but a series of significant injuries have created some setbacks for Las Vegas, which is 11th in allowing 316.9 yards per game. Just one spot behind KC.
Serious changes likely are coming to Las Vegas after this season, especially now that seven-time Super Bowl quarterback Tom Brady is a minority owner and expected to have a say in personnel.
The Chiefs are the standard the Raiders are trying to reach. It’s been an ongoing effort, and the Raiders aren’t any closer to Kansas City than when the Chiefs began their Super Bowl run.
“Everything we do in (the) offseason and how we game plan, the staff we put together, roster we put together is to beat the Chiefs,” Pierce said. “They’re the cream of the crop.”
Meyers nears return
Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers returned to practice Wednesday after missing the two previous games because of an ankle injury. Meyers became the No. 1 receiver when Davante Adams was traded last week to the New York Jets.
Tackle Kolton Miller (elbow), guard Dylan Parham (foot) and tight end Harrison Bryant (elbow) did not practice.
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