Chiefs vs. Raiders predictions: AA staff picks for Week 5

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders signals prior to the snap during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders signals prior to the snap during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Here are our writers’ picks and predictions for the Week 5 matchup between the visiting Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) wrapped up the first quarter of the season with a decisive win at Tampa Bay last week and now turn to a Monday Night matchup in which they will host the Las Vegas Raiders. Kansas City is atop the AFC West and will look to unofficially knock the Raiders out of the playoff picture with a win at Arrowhead in primetime.

Led by new head coach Josh McDaniels, the Raiders were on thin ice in Week 4 as they were winless entering their clash with Denver, but they moved to 1-3 with their decisive win over the Broncos. Running back Josh Jacobs spearheaded the Raiders to that victory, as he ran for 144 yards and two scores while quarterback Derek Carr chipped in 40 more yards on the ground. The Chiefs’ defense will be up to the challenge of stopping the Raiders, as they have allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league (just under 66 yards per game) through four games.

If you haven’t already heard, Chiefs quarterback arrowheadaddict.com aikman on the NFL’s career touchdown pass list with four touchdown passes. Speaking of Aikman, he will be on the broadcast tonight with Joe Buck, so “Petty Mahomes” will be making an appearance.

Writer records

Last week we finally got some separation after several writers (myself included) had the audacity to pick the Buccaneers to win in Week 4. While most of us predicted a lower-scoring game last week, Adam Best came closest to the score of the Chiefs’ surprising blowout victory, as he guessed the Chiefs would win 31-28. Here are our Week 5 writer’s picks for tonight’s matchup:

Patrick Allen (2-2)
Last week I made the mistake of picking against Patrick Mahomes. I said I wanted the Chiefs to show me something, and boy did they. If there is one thing I love more than being wrong when I pick against the Chiefs, it is being right when I pick them to win. The Raiders have some juice on offense, but the Chiefs are far and away the better team in this one. As long as they avoid any meltdowns like the ones they had against the Colts, KC should roll.
Chiefs 30, Raiders 21

Adam Best (3-1)
Last season, the Chiefs outscored the Raiders 89-23. That dominance will continue. Chiefs blow them out.
Kansas City 41, Loss Vegas 24

Matt Conner (2-2)
89-23. That was the combined score of last year’s battles. A team cannot make enough changes in a single offseason to make me worry about overcoming that deficit. Chiefs by 25. 
Chiefs 42, Raiders 17

Bransen Gibson (3-1)
There is no week quite like Raider Week, and I am expecting Kansas City to put on a clinic on Monday Night Football. Mahomes and the Chiefs have outscored the Raiders 124-54 over their last three meetings, and I don’t see how an LV defense that is 24th in the league in points allowed is going to slow down KC’s offense. The Raiders will score quite a few points of their own, but they won’t be able to match the Chiefs.
Kansas City 38, Las Vegas 24

Lyle Graversen (2-2)
Last week I made the mistake of picking against the Chiefs. There’s no way I’m doing that again this week against Las Vegas. While the Raiders are just 1-3, all three of those losses were one-score games, but I just don’t see any way they keep up with the Chiefs, especially if KC runs the ball as well as they did against the Bucs. The Chiefs handle the Raiders on Monday night.
Chiefs 34 Raiders 23

Anthony Hatton (3-1)
Monday Night Football is going to be another primetime thrashing. Kansas City has had its let-down game already. They understand the importance of divisional games. Over the past 5 meetings between these two teams, the Chiefs have averaged 39 points. The Raiders are definitely going to try to keep hope alive in the AFC West, but what it comes down to is Las Vegas simply cannot keep up. I don’t expect much of a contest here.
Kansas City Chiefs 40, Las Vegas Raiders 18

Scott Loring (2-2)
Containing wide receiver Davante Adams will be a critical part of the Chiefs’ game plan. Kansas City has contained Adams better than any other NFL team in his career, allowing him just 21 yards per game against the Chiefs in two games. He’ll most likely improve upon that, but it will be because the Chiefs will get out to an early lead and force the Raiders into a one-dimensional offense. Joe Buck literally makes Troy Aikman read the graphic out loud when Patrick Mahomes passes him on the all-time touchdown pass list with a TD pass to Mecole Hardman.
Chiefs 33, Raiders 12

Ellen Mathis (3-1)
The Chiefs get a super-mini-bye this week as they face the most hated of all franchises in the Raiders. Because of that, I think the Chiefs will be nicely rested and coming off a great win that really established all three phases of the game. The Raiders are no longer coming in winless, so that is one thing that won’t be plaguing them and providing motivation. Not only that, but the Raiders are also dealing with some injuries that could impact them. I think the Raiders will struggle against the Chiefs and this game will end in a Chiefs victory.
Chiefs 27, Raiders 20

Jacob Milham (3-1)
It feels so long ago since we thought this matchup would be a deciding factor in the AFC West race. Despite all their rostered talent, the Raiders are in the league’s basement. I still think they are better than their record suggests, as their point differential through four games is only four points (96 points for, 100 points against). But, the Raiders are not likely to right the ship against a determined Chiefs squad. The Raiders have a below-average pass defense, and Kansas City will take full advantage of it.
Kansas City 35, Las Vegas 21

Greg Morse (3-1)
The Chiefs got right against the Bucs next week. Now the other pirates come to town, and let’s just say that ship is sinking in Arrowhead. Patrick Mahomes throws at least 4 touchdowns to humiliate the Raiders and Troy Aikman. Vegas might get a touchdown or two in garbage time.
Chiefs 42 Raiders 10

KC Proctor (3-1)
Each of the antics used by the Raiders to reinvigorate their part in this rivalry over the past two years has failed. The victory lap in 2020 was short-lived, and the pregame party on the Arrowhead logo in 2021 led to embarrassment. This spring, Las Vegas flexed its checkbook in order to catch up with the Chiefs, but that will fail as miserably as all else. Davante Adams has a day, but the Chiefs get their 16th win over the Raiders in the Andy Reid era.
Chiefs 36, Raiders 23

Charles Robinson (3-1)
I had this pegged as a “Get Right” game for the Chiefs offense but didn’t expect that to come a week early in Tampa. Simply put, Derek Carr’s track record against Kansas City (3-13 in his career) is the worst of any active starting quarterback in the NFL against a single opponent. The Chiefs own the Raiders, and with this one being a primetime Arrowhead affair, I don’t see this result being much different. The only thing that could derail this is the Chiefs looking ahead to a Week 6 showdown with the Bills, or the Travis Kelce birthday blues.
Chiefs 38, Raiders 20

Lucas Strozinsky (2-2)
I don’t like to predict blowout wins for the Chiefs, but the two exceptions are objectively bad teams and the Raiders (which are the same most of the time). The Raiders have struggled in coverage this season and their pass rush has been a disappointment outside of Maxx Crosby, so the Chiefs should be able to move the ball. I also have little faith in Derek Carr’s ability beat up a surprisingly strong defense in Kansas City. Barring an injury or two, this game has no business being competitive in the middle of the 4th quarter or later.
Chiefs 38, Raiders 17

Grant Tuttle (3-1)
The Chiefs own the Raiders. That does not change this week. Kelce. Mahomes. Pacheco. Victory.
Chiefs 38, Raiders 17

Schedule