By Jeremy
The camera will find Patrick Mahomes and Maxx Crosby on Sunday. It always does when the Chiefs and Raiders meet. But with both teams entering Week 4 at 3-0, Kansas City’s clearest opportunity to change this game may be on the other side of the ball. Las Vegas ruled out starting right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson with a groin injury, and Chris Jones now has a chance to make the Raiders’ protection plan uncomfortable from the inside.
An opening, not a free pass
Powers-Johnson did not practice this week, according to the Raiders’ Friday injury report. Las Vegas lists Caleb Rogers behind him on its unofficial depth chart, though that does not guarantee Rogers will take every snap at right guard. Whoever fills the spot will line up next to center Tyler Linderbaum, a significant reason Chiefs fans should resist treating one absence as a guaranteed mismatch.
That said, replacing a starting guard against Jones is a difficult assignment. Jones can align in different spots, and Kansas City can look for chances to put him over the replacement or force the guard and Linderbaum to sort out pressure together. The aim need not be a string of sacks. If Jones pushes the pocket back, occupies help or makes a blocker hesitate, he can affect a throw without appearing in the box score.
Make Cousins solve the problem early
The Raiders’ offense has earned respect through three weeks. Raiders.com reports that Kirk Cousins has thrown nine touchdown passes and Las Vegas has averaged 29.3 points per game. This is not a unit the Chiefs can expect to shut down simply by attacking one position.
The more realistic goal is to disrupt its timing. Interior pressure gives a quarterback less room to step into a throw, while a hurried decision can turn a manageable down into a punt. Kansas City also has to stay sound against Ashton Jeanty and the run game. If the Chiefs sell out to chase Cousins and leave easy lanes behind them, the advantage up front could disappear quickly.
Jones’ own availability matters, too. The Raiders’ injury report lists him with a calf issue, but he practiced fully all week and carries no game designation. That is encouraging, although it is not a promise that he will dominate. The Chiefs will need their other rushers to finish plays when protection slides toward him.
Keep the spotlight from deciding the game
There is a Chiefs concern on the other side: tackle Josh Simmons is out with a back injury, according to the same report. Crosby will have opportunities to influence Mahomes’ afternoon. That makes defensive disruption more valuable, not less. Shorter Raiders drives could give Kansas City’s offense breathing room without asking Mahomes to win every exchange against Crosby.
This matchup will still demand patience. Las Vegas has a productive quarterback, a capable center and time to adjust its protections. But Powers-Johnson’s absence gives Kansas City a place to test those adjustments immediately. Before the familiar Mahomes–Crosby duel takes over the conversation, Jones and the interior rush have a chance to shape the game.
Jones needs to capitalize on this injury. If he can disrupt Cousins early, it could shift the momentum and make things easier for our offense. Let’s hope he steps up big time.
Totally agree, if Jones can make Cousins uncomfortable right off the bat, it will force him into quick decisions. A solid interior push not only helps our pass rush but can also disrupt the entire flow of their offense. Let’s hope he can dominate that matchup.
I’m worried about the back end if we go all out on Cousins. Our defensive backs need to hold up against those deep threats because I don’t trust them to handle any slip-ups. Jones can’t do it alone.