Chiefs vs. Raiders predictions: Kansas City expected to roll

Coming off their bye week, our writers agree that the Kansas City Chiefs will come out firing on all cylinders and beat the Oakland Raiders.

Two weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs traveled to Mexico City to take on the Los Angeles Chargers and took care of business with a 24-17 win. Now, after a week off, they are preparing to take on the Oakland Raiders. A win for the Chiefs would all but end the Raiders’ playoff hopes as they are coming off an ugly loss to the New York Jets. Though the Raiders would still be in the race for a wild card spot, a loss to the Chiefs would certainly be crushing to their spirit.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs need to win to gain firm control over the AFC West and to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive. A loss would be devastating to the Chiefs, as they would fall to the same record as the Raiders and would shed serious doubt on their ability to make it to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs will be getting good news on the injury side of things, as they will only be without running back Damien Williams on Sunday. Though wide receiver Tyreek Hill left the Chargers game with a minor hamstring injury, the bye week was enough time for him to recover and he was able to fully practice all week.

For the Raiders, they will be without Hunter Renfrow, who sustained a rib injury last week against the Jets. Renfrow is a rookie who quickly developed a connection with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to become a go-to option. Playing without Renfrow is a huge loss for the Raiders.

On top of good news for the Chiefs, they’re coming off a bye week. Head coach Andy Reid boasts an amazing record coming of a bye week of 17-3. The Chiefs have a lot of positives and a lot riding on this game. They need a win, and our writers agree that they will get that win. Here are our full writer predictions:

Drew Brooks: Chiefs 38, Raiders 21

I think that the Chiefs will come out firing and score quickly. I think that they’ll maintain this lead through the entire game and coast to an easy victory. This is a potential trap game with the Raiders coming off a blowout loss to the Jets, but I think the Chiefs will handle the challenge.

Matt Conner: Chiefs 30, Raiders 17

The Chiefs will put this in cruise control by the third quarter and the Raiders’ notions of making any further noise in the AFC West will finally be silenced. It’s been a good run for Jon Gruden, but the Chiefs are on a mission.

Lyle Graversen: Chiefs 41, Raiders 16

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I think we finally see the Chiefs team we all thought could make the Super Bowl coming off the bye this week. With the Raiders confidence already shaken after their humiliating loss to the Jets, the Chiefs break their spirits early in this one and then just steam roll them.

Jacob Harris: Chiefs 37, Raiders 21

The Chiefs finally re-establish themselves as true contenders and re-establish the Raiders as a mediocre amalgam of all of Gruden’s cliche (and wrong) Football Guy philosophies.

Scott Loring: Chiefs 41, Raiders 30

The Chiefs will come in fired up and will not disappoint. Fans have been hungry for an offensive explosion for weeks, and they’re going to get one Sunday. Jon Gruden will pull out all the stops on offense and make things look closer late, but the Chiefs win in a romp.

Ellen Mathis: Chiefs 28, Raiders 17

The Chiefs need to put together a good win. The Raiders are hoping to keep their hopes of winning the AFC West alive, but with the weather and Arrowhead, the Raiders won’t take this one. Chiefs win, and for all intents and purposes clinch the AFC West. Also, the offense finally clicks again.

Byron Smith: Chiefs 38, Raiders 14

Andy Reid is unstoppable after a bye. Andy Reid is unbeatable against AFC West rivals. Jon Gruden loses to Reid more often then he loses to any other coach in the NFL. This is a recipe for a stomping. Arrowhead should be rocking,and  the Chiefs are quite healthy. Not to mention, the Raiders have the 31st pass defense in the league, and K.C. has the best quarterback in the NFL, so expect some explosiveness.

Rylan Stiles: Chiefs 31, Raiders 14

I said it on the podcast all week: this is the game we see the Kansas City Chiefs offense that we all anticipated this offseason. The Chiefs dominate Oakland and remind everyone that they are legit.

Farzin Vousoughian: Chiefs 27, Raiders 24

The Chiefs will make it harder than they should. But with Mahomes and the defense showing it can make an impact, the Chiefs will win.