Raiders vs Chiefs: Writers predictions for Week 8 ahead of Arrowhead West matchup

The 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, had a famous saying: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." The Kansas City Chiefs have carried that big stick throughout their six wins this season, even if they are not boisterous or profound wins. But wins nonetheless. As the Chiefs travel to Allegiant Stadium for a date against the Las Vegas Raiders, you better believe they still have that big stick.

The Chiefs are 4-0 against the Raiders in Allegiant Stadium and won Super Bowl 58 in that same venue earlier this calendar year. It is a familiar site for Kansas City and is an entertainment hub fit to host the two-time defending champions. Too bad that could never be Las Vegas' own team.

The stage is set and our writers are ready to predict Sunday's tilt. Let's talk about it, shall we?

Price Carter
It's really hard to see the Raiders having anything going in this game. They are down their best offensive player (Davante Adams) changing quarterbacks again and are without Chrisitan Wilkins their star defensive free agent. Vegas ranks 22nd in DVOA against the run and 25th against the pass. It's hard to see them stopping the highly efficient Chiefs offense and seeing the Gardner Minshew led Raiders scoring much against the Chiefs defense.
Chiefs 30, Raiders 13

Matt Conner
Last week, I picked the 49ers only because the Chiefs had to lose to someone this regular season and then they put up a 10-point win despite losing more players and still not playing their best. I've learned my lesson and that means 17-0 isn't out of the picture at all. These Raiders are forgettable stepping stones and nothing more—rivals or not.
Chiefs 25, Raiders 9

Braden Holecek

The Chiefs likely have payback on their mind from last Christmas. Las Vegas embarrassed Kansas City in their own stadium in a dominant fashion. Now, the Chiefs are looking to get some revenge while remaining undefeated. Seeing how KC distributes touches is going to be the item I am most interested in. Kareem Hunt has been tremendous. Do they lean on him again? Or, does the passing attack get rolling with the potential debut of DeAndre Hopkins? Seeing how Hopkins and Xavier Worthy perform alongside Travis Kelce is going to be fascinating.

Chiefs 31, Raiders 16

Felix Johnson
This should be pretty simple. It's the Raiders. Lord knows, the football gods are bound to be after the Chiefs, but just not against this Raiders team. I would love to see the ball hawking become a mainstay from the defense. Last year's squad was great but didn't turn the ball over as much. After torturing Purdy last week, I want to celebrate with Jaden Hicks again.

Chiefs 30, Raiders 17

Jacob Milham
It is hard to preach any given Sunday looking at this game on paper. Is this a rivalry I desperately want to see the vim and vigor return? Yes. Is this a Sunday afternoon matchup between two NFL teams? Yes. But the chasm between the two, on paper, in body language, and overall direction could not be more different. Add on that this is a revenge game for last season's surprising Raiders win and the Kermit from this offseason and Kansas City has everything to gain with a dominant victory. Brock Bowers will give Kansas City some headaches, but he cannot beat the undefeated Chiefs alone.
Chiefs 28, Raiders 13

Charles Robinson
The Chiefs are riding the NFL’s longest winning streak into a building they’ve never lost in. 5-0 at Allegiant with the last one being a victory in Super Bowl 58. The Raiders are in shambles and until proven otherwise, Kansas City is the league's best.
Chiefs 27, Raiders 13

Stacy D. Smith

After last season's Christmas Day debacle, the Chiefs have had this game circled on their calendar. When Las Vegas Raiders rookie safety Trey Taylor used a Kermit the Frog puppet — a proxy for Patrick Mahomes — to insult the Chiefs' superstar quarterback, they probably re-circled the game. No contest will serve as a bigger motivation for Mahomes to right the ship than Sunday's matchup with their division rival. The Chiefs recently added decorated receiver DeAndre Hopkins and he's expected to play on Sunday. I think the Chiefs get back to their productive ways offensively. Travis Kelce gets it going again in this contest, Xavier Worthy has a big day taking the top off of the Raiders defense, and the Chiefs continue to have success on the ground. The defense records another pair of turnovers and the Chiefs get another dub.
Chiefs 31, Raiders 20.

Lucas Strozinsky

The Chiefs have to figure out the wide receiver position and Patrick Mahomes' play. Hopefully returning to the same stadium where they won Super Bowl LVIII will help Mahomes get his mojo back. Given how much of a tire fire the Raiders are, this game shouldn't be close, but we all know the Chiefs will make it weird.

Chiefs 20, Raiders 10