Mexico City /
The last weekend in the NFL arrived and Las Vegas Raiders they prepare their season finale against some Kansas City Chiefs completely far from the standards known in recent years. On this occasion, what is at stake is not the divisional pennant, but rather the pride and sporting sensation of a more encouraging end to September.
Los Chiefs visit Raiders in a radically different scenario than the one in Week 7, when the current champions won with authority 31-0 at Arrowhead Stadium.
That dominance of Kansas City seems like a distant memory today. The rosters that will take to the field have been decimated by a campaign of physical wear and tear. The most sensitive loss is, without a doubt, that of Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback suffered a torn ACL in Week 15, a devastating blow that ended his aspirations this year. Along with him, key figures such as the receiver Rashee Rice and cornerback Trent McDuffie have been relegated to injured reserve, leaving the Chiefs in a rarely seen position of vulnerability.
For their part, the Raiderswith a 2-14 record that reflects a year of transitions and bad fortune, They will not have several of their pillars either. The absence of Maxx Crosby on the defensive line and Brock Bowers On offense it could limit head coach Pete Carroll’s scheme. To compound the situation, Carroll confirmed that the veteran QB Geno Smith will hardly see action after an ankle injury suffered against the Giants.
Therefore, The focus of attention is on a duel of substitute quarterbacks: Kenny Pickett for Las Vegas versus Chris Oladokun for Kansas City, the latter with the task of proving that his performance last week against the Denver Broncos was no fluke and he can earn his spot on the roster.
The terrestrial factor
In the midst of a difficult collective season, the rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has emerged as a key factor in the Raiders’ scheme. Selected with the sixth overall pick, Jeanty has navigated constant offensive line rotations and defensive schemes designed to stop him. Despite this, their 1,227 total yards from scrimmage They represent the highest figure for any rookie this cycle, which is exciting to think that he will be a central piece of the franchise’s future.
The personal goal of Jeanty For this Sunday it is clear: reach the 1,000 rushing yard mark, needing 112 yards to achieve it. However, statistics work against them: in their first game against Kansas City, Jeanty He was erased for just 21 yards on six carries. He faces one of the top ten run defenses in the NFL, whose 87.9 percent tackling efficiency on designed running plays will be a challenge for the State graduate.
Therefore, if Jeanty can break the tackles and establish the running game from the start, the team has a real chance to compete until the fourth quarter.
The tight ends duel
What was originally shaping up to be a clash between Travis Kelce’s seniority and the rise of Brock Bowers, has become a golden opportunity for Michael Mayer. After Bowers’ injury, Mayer responded authoritatively the previous week, posting career-highs with nine receptions and 89 yards. Pete Carroll was full of praise, highlighting his creative and physical ability to replace one of the best players in the League.
On the other side we have Travis Kelce, one of the best exponents in the position. With 1,077 receptions and close to 13,000 career yards, Kelce continues to be an important piece of the Chiefs, especially in the absence of Mahomes. However, this match carries a lot of weight, as rumors about his retirement have gained strength. Kelce has indicated that he will evaluate his future during the offseason, making this divisional clash possibly his last appearance on the field.
Week 18 Matches
Saturday January 3
- Panthers vs Buccaneers | 15:30 horas
- Seahawks vs 49ers | 19:00 horas
Sunday January 4
- Saints vs Falcons | 12:00 horas
- Browns vs Bengals | 12:00 horas
- Colts vs Texans | 12:00 horas
- Titans vs Jaguars | 12:00 horas
- Packers vs Vikings | 12:00 horas
- Cowboys vs Giants | 12:00 horas
- Chiefs vs Raiders | 15:25 horas
- Chargers vs Broncos | 15:25 horas
- Cardinals vs Rams | 15:25 horas
- Dolphins vs Patriots | 15:25 horas
- Lions vs Bears | 15:25 horas
- Jets vs Bills | 15:25 horas
- Commanders vs Eagles | 15:25 horas
- Ravens vs Steelers | 19:20 horas
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