By Jeremy
Sunday’s meeting at Allegiant Stadium is an early test of the AFC West: Kansas City and Las Vegas are both 3-0, and one will leave with its first loss. The Raiders will also have a new starter at right guard. Jackson Powers-Johnson has been ruled out with a groin injury, putting Caleb Rogers in line to start. For the Chiefs, that creates a matchup worth probing—not a guarantee that they can wreck the Raiders’ offense.
Test the protection, not just the player
Rogers is no stranger to the job. He competed with Powers-Johnson throughout training camp, started six games as a rookie last season and played the final five offensive snaps against New Orleans last week, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Kansas City should expect a prepared replacement, not someone seeing an NFL defense for the first time.
Still, Steve Spagnuolo can make that preparation work harder. The Chiefs could line Chris Jones up over Rogers on one snap, then shift him elsewhere on the next. They could show a linebacker near the interior gap, bring pressure from that side or drop the apparent rusher and send someone from a different angle. The aim is to make Rogers and the blockers around him identify the threat together, quickly, before they can settle into a rhythm. Spagnuolo remains Kansas City’s defensive coordinator, and Jones was listed as a full practice participant on the Chiefs’ Wednesday injury report.
That does not mean blitzing on every third down. If the Raiders see predictable extra rushers, Kirk Cousins can answer with a quick throw into the space they leave behind. A four-man rush that creates a hurried decision may do more for Kansas City than a six-man rush that opens an easy completion.
Make Cousins play one beat faster
Cousins has given the Chiefs reason to respect this offense. Raiders.com reported that he entered the matchup tied for the league lead with nine touchdown passes, while Las Vegas averaged 29.3 points through three games. Its depth chart also lists Brock Bowers at tight end and Ashton Jeanty at running back—options that can punish a defense paying too much attention to one protection matchup.
The Chiefs’ opportunity is therefore about timing, not necessarily sacks. If pressure through the right side makes Cousins come off a longer-developing read, throw before a receiver has separated or check down short of the sticks, Kansas City has changed the drive. But it must tackle those short completions and hold up against the run. Letting Jeanty gain comfortable yardage on early downs would keep the Raiders out of the passing situations Kansas City wants.
Powers-Johnson’s absence gives the Chiefs a place to ask difficult questions. Rogers may have good answers. The measured approach is to keep asking—with varied looks, sound coverage and disciplined run defense—and see whether Cousins can stay on schedule for four quarters.
Rogers may have some experience, but Spags will definitely exploit that matchup. If Jones can disrupt early, we could see Cousins make some questionable throws. Keeping pressure consistent should give us the edge we need to win.
Totally agree, if Spags can mix things up and keep Rogers guessing, Cousins might struggle. But we can’t let them establish the run early or it’ll hurt that pressure game. Chiefs win if we stick to our plan! ?