Chiefs vs. Raiders: Game and score predictions

All of Arrowhead Pride’s contributors picked the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the New England Patriots on Monday night. Predicted spreads ranged from 10 to 25 points — but as a group, we predicted a 35.5-17.0 win. The spread was pretty close; we just expected more scoring from both teams. Our readers were also confident in a Chiefs win. 96% called for a one — and 68% saw a blowout coming.

Let’s see how our writers (and our readers) see the Week 5 division game with the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.

Tom Childs (@tomchilds56)

The Raiders offense will play better than in previous occasions against the Chiefs. Derek Carr might even play a clean game in Arrowhead for once. But even if that does happen, it won't mean a thing as the Chiefs offense steamroll a porous Raiders defense. Chiefs fans will have their feet up by halftime, I guarantee. Chiefs 37 Raiders 20

John Dixon (@Arrowheadphones)

It would be fair to say that lately, the Chiefs have owned the Raiders. Over the last two seasons, Kansas City has outscored the men in black, 143-56. But Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and ex-draft-guru Mike Mayock are working to load up on talent to compete with the Chiefs; it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see the team truly become more competitive in the years to come. But... not yet. Derek Carr is still the Raiders quarterback, after all. He’s 2-10 — with a passer rating of just 74.6 — against Kansas City. Good luck with that. Chiefs 34, Raiders 16

Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp)

We all know Patrick Mahomes has a little Michael Jordan in him in terms of motivation. It was obvious how upset he was with his individual performance against the Patriots, and he’ll be starving to bounce back with a big performance against a familiar foe. Mahomes has dominated the Raiders in his young career, and that won’t be ending on Sunday. The Raiders’ pass rush has been nonexistent this year, and their young secondary will be exploited because of that. Plus, Derek Carr is still the one taking snaps for Las Vegas, which is really the only point that needed to be made. Chiefs 41, Raiders 20

Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina)

The worse thing for the Raiders was the Chiefs offense looking mortal against the New England Patriots. The hope for a flat game from the Chiefs as they look forward to the next big AFC matchup with the Buffalo Bills should be gone and out the window now. When the Chiefs have the ball, they have just about every advantage possible from the trenches to the skill positions. Travis Kelce routinely torches the Raiders but I expect the Raiders to utilize some new pieces to try and take him away, leaving Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins to feast on a weak cornerback group. When the Raiders have the ball, their offensive line and running back tandem has the advantage in the power run game but when forced to play catchup, they just don’t have the horses. They have done a good job improving their weapons, but they are still young and going up against a secondary playing really well. The Chiefs control this one early as they come out to prove a point and the game is never in doubt. Chiefs 38, Raiders 17

Matt Stagner (@stagdsp)

The Chiefs’ dominance over the division is well established. Sure, this Raiders team has shown some life and pulled off a couple of wins, but Derrick Carr is right, in order for this to be a rivalry, the Raiders would have to actually pull off some wins. I don’t see that starting this week. I expect Mahomes to “get back on track” statistically this week with some bigger numbers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is due to find the end zone, and there should be a couple of big downfield plays to Hill and Hardman. The Super Bowl champs are just too talented and have too much they can throw at teams. The #RunItBack train won’t be derailed. Chiefs 45, Raiders 24

Craig Stout (@barleyhop)

On paper, this is a game that could be close. The Raiders possess a strong rushing attack and have some solid weapons in Henry Ruggs and Darren Waller — both areas where the Chiefs defense could struggle to defend. However, this Chiefs offense has something to prove after a lackluster performance against the Patriots, and Andy Reid will want to once again remind Jon Gruden who the offensive mastermind is in the AFC West. The Chiefs get out to a quick start, score easily, and take their foot off the gas to let the defense close it out. Chiefs 35, Raiders 20

Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson)

Don’t look now, but the entire AP Laboratory is picking a blowout. I think you’ll see a sharp performance from Patrick Lavon Mahomes that rivals what you saw against the Ravens. He’s unsatisfied with what he put on tape on Monday night, and his play will reflect that. I’m predicting five (you read the right) touchdowns including two over 50 yards — one on busted coverage. The Chiefs are favored by 12, and I have them comfortably covering. In fact, a late touchdown makes it look closer than it is. The defense continues their strong start and the Chiefs get after Derek Carr with Chris Jones leading the way. Chiefs 38, Raiders 20

Pete Sweeney (@pgsween)

The Kansas City Chiefs offense came out of last game against the New England Patriots humbled after what was an impressive defensive effort from Bill Belichick and one of the stronger secondaries in the league. But even if Jon Gruden and company wanted to replicate the Patriots’ game plan, it is unlikely the Raiders have the personnel to do so. Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst ruled out due to COVID-19 while Chris Jones returns is quite the unlucky swing for Las Vegas, and I think it is a game in which Patrick Mahomes is comfortable with open looks while Derek Carr is uncomfortable with covered ones. The Raiders’ best chance would be to control the ball with talented young running back Josh Jacobs, but the Chiefs offense returning to prominence likely proves that option null and void. Chiefs 42, Raiders 17

Ties in the standings are broken with prediction points error — how much each prediction misses the actual point spread and the number of points scored by each team.

Kent Swanson and Ron Kopp both thought the Chiefs would hold the Patriots to just 10 points, so their predictions of 31-10 and 34-10 led the way with 10 and 16 points of error. But as a whole, the contributors turned in their best picks since Week 1; no one had more than 30 points of error. The standings remain unchanged going into Week 5.