Oakland Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs: X-Factors To Keep An Eye On

Smith’s Security Blanket

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith isn’t going to wow you with his strong, downfield throws – though, he will uncork one every now and then. But he’s masterful at the short and intermediate range passing game. He’s effective and he doesn’t make many mistakes – he’s completing 67 percent of his pass, has 11 touchdowns, and just four inteceptions on the year.

And one of Smith’s biggest security blankets is tight end Travis Kelce. While they have a home run hitter on the outside in Jeremy Maclin, Kelce provides Smith with a solid, reliable target – one who always seems to find a way to get open.

Kelce leads the team in receptions (65) and yards (815). Suffice it to say, he’s a big component of Kansas City’s offensive game plan.

In their earlier matchup with the Chiefs this season, the Raiders defense did an outstanding job of blanketing Kelce and taking him away from Smith. For the game, he caught just three passes for 32 yards and was held out of the endzone.

It’s a performance that the Raiders will need to repeat – but one that will be tougher given the absence of hard hitting safety Karl Joseph, who is out with an injury.

Add to that, the fact that over the past three games, Kelce has been an absolute beast. In those three games, he’s racked up 23 receptions for 349 yards. Smith has been targeting him early and often.

Which means that without Joseph back there in support, the Raiders’ linebackers are going to need to step it up. One player to watch is Perry Riley Jr. Since coming to Oakland in early October, he’s developed into one of their steadiest and most reliable linebackers, playing both, the run and the pass well.

The week six game against Kansas City was his second in a Raiders uniform and now that he’s more comfortable with his role, he could prove pivotal in limiting Kelce’s impact on the game.