Raiders’ shorthanded D has ‘daunting task’ vs. Chiefs
Preparing to play Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs can cause nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators in the best of circumstances.
With speed on the outside in Tyreek Hill, perhaps the best receiving tight end in Travis Kelce and a dynamic rookie running back in Clyde Edwards-Helaire for Mahomes to utilize, the Chiefs have had the NFL’s most prolific offense the past few years.
Now the Las Vegas Raiders (6-3) have to try to slow Kansas City ( 81) down in an AFC West showdown on Sunday night despite missing 10 defensive players, including six starters, in practice this week because of COVID-19 protocols.
“I don’t know how we can beat these guys with a full lineup at practice, let alone three- quarters of your lineup not here all week,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “We’re playing the world champs. What don’t they have? They have a great quarterback, great receivers, great tight ends, line is physical. And they’re coming off a bye, so it’s a daunting task.”
The Raiders have had issues on defense for much of the year before a recent streak of success the past three games thanks in part to one game in bad weather and a rough outing from Denver’s Drew Lock.
The test of whether those improvements were real was supposed to come this week against the Chiefs but now it will be hard to tell much thanks to the absences.
Starting linebacker Cory Littleton tested positive for the coronavirus last week and missed one game. He hasn’t returned to practice yet and there’s no word on his condition.
The problems only multiplied when starting defensive end Clelin Ferrell was placed on the COVID- 19 list Tuesday following a positive test, along with starting slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, who was a “high risk” close contact.