Chiefs, Raiders Put Perfect Records on the Line in Early AFC West Showdown

LAS VEGAS — One of the NFL’s biggest games of Week 4 will feature two undefeated AFC West rivals when the Kansas City Chiefs travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

Kansas City and Las Vegas both enter the matchup at 3-0, marking the first time in the rivalry’s history that the Chiefs and Raiders have met in the regular season with both teams at 3-0 or better.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. Central at Allegiant Stadium, with the game airing nationally on CBS.

The Chiefs are coming off a 24-10 road victory over the Miami Dolphins, following wins over Denver and Indianapolis to begin the season. Kansas City will head into its Week 5 bye following Sunday’s game, giving the Chiefs an opportunity to reach 4-0 before an early break in the schedule.

Las Vegas has been one of the early surprises of the season. The Raiders improved to 3-0 with a 35-27 win over the New Orleans Saints last week and now have an opportunity to open a season 4-0 for the first time since 2002.

Kansas City’s offense off to fast start

Kansas City has produced 416.3 yards per game through its first three contests, second-most in the NFL. The Chiefs are averaging 263 passing yards and 153.3 rushing yards per game while scoring 29.3 points per contest.

Patrick Mahomes has completed 68.4% of his passes for 812 yards and seven touchdowns through three games. He has also enjoyed considerable success against the Raiders throughout his career, throwing 36 touchdown passes against Las Vegas — more than against any other opponent.

But one of the biggest changes to Kansas City’s offense has been the addition of running back Kenneth Walker III.

Walker enters Sunday leading the NFL with 360 rushing yards. He has accumulated 442 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns through three games, giving Kansas City a rushing threat capable of taking pressure off Mahomes.

The Chiefs have outgained their first three opponents by a combined 415 yards, their second-largest net-yardage advantage through three games in franchise history.

Raiders bring a much different challenge

Las Vegas is also averaging 29.3 points per game, but the Raiders have found much of their early success through quarterback Kirk Cousins and a defense that has created turnovers.

Cousins has completed 67.4% of his passes for 661 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. His nine touchdown passes are tied for the NFL lead entering Week 4.

The Raiders have also forced nine turnovers through their first three games.

Kansas City’s defense will have another weapon to account for after tight end Brock Bowers returned to the lineup last week. Bowers caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against New Orleans after missing the Raiders’ first two games of the season.

The matchup between Bowers and a Kansas City defense allowing just 178.3 passing yards per game could become one of the game’s most important battles. The Chiefs enter Sunday ranked fourth in total defense at 278 yards allowed per game and are surrendering 16.7 points per contest.

Maxx Crosby could test Chiefs’ offensive line

Perhaps the biggest matchup to watch when Kansas City has the football will be Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby against the Chiefs’ offensive line.

Crosby has sacked Mahomes six times during his career and recorded four quarterback hits and two tackles for loss in the Raiders’ last two victories over Kansas City.

That challenge could become even more significant because Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons continues to deal with a back injury.

Simmons did not participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday. Kansas City has relied on rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle during Simmons’ absence, and Benson has started each of the Chiefs’ first three games.

Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a knee injury. Mahomes, Chris Jones, Rashee Rice, Chamarri Conner and several other Chiefs listed on the injury report were full participants Thursday. Final game designations had not yet been released as of Thursday evening.

Las Vegas is also monitoring starting offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, who missed practices Wednesday and Thursday with a groin injury.

Rivalry takes on added importance

Kansas City owns a 74-55-2 advantage in the all-time regular-season series, and the Chiefs have won 13 of the past 16 meetings between the franchises.

The most recent meeting went the other way.

Las Vegas defeated Kansas City 14-12 in the 2025 regular-season finale, although the Chiefs played primarily backups with their postseason position already settled. It was also the Raiders’ first home victory over Kansas City since moving to Allegiant Stadium.

Sunday’s meeting carries considerably more weight.

Kansas City and Las Vegas currently occupy the top two spots in the AFC West at 3-0, meaning the winner will leave Week 4 with an early advantage in the division race.

The statistical matchup is unusually close in one important category: both teams are averaging exactly 29.3 points per game. Kansas City, however, has produced significantly more total offense while allowing fewer yards and points defensively through the opening three weeks.

For the Chiefs, Sunday provides an opportunity to remain perfect heading into the bye. For the Raiders, it is a chance to continue their unbeaten start against the team that has controlled much of the AFC West rivalry in recent years.

Chiefs at Raiders kicks off Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3:25 p.m. Central from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game will air on CBS and stream through Paramount+ in applicable markets.