NFL Week 14 Preview: Raiders at Chiefs

The Oakland Raiders visit the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season. PFF previews the top player matchups of the game.

Coverage by: Mike Guerrelli

RB Marshawn Lynch vs. LB Derrick Johnson – Lynch seems to be getting stronger as the season progresses, and he might be the key to any success the Raiders' offense has the rest of the way. He is PFF's eighth-ranked running back with an 84.3 overall grade. Lynch had his three highest-graded games of the year in Weeks 11-13 and forced 15 missed tackles over that span, the third-most of any back. Johnson's 78.3 overall grade ranks 26th at linebacker this season. He's been outstanding in coverage, allowing only 13 receptions for 108 yards in 365 coverage snaps. Johnson leads all linebackers allowing 0.30 yards per cover snap and leads with 28.1 cover snaps per reception.

Marshawn Lynch, running back, Oakalnd Raiders

WR Michael Crabtree vs. CB Darrelle Revis – Crabtree returns this week after his one-game suspension, and he should be the focal point of the Raiders' passing game with Amari Cooper ailing. He is PFF's 52nd-ranked wide receiver with a 73.4 overall grade. Crabtree is 20th among wide receivers with 1.82 yards per route run and is 10th with six touchdowns. After recently signing with the Chiefs, Revis will likely see more snaps this week with Marcus Peters being suspended. In his first action of the season in Week 13, Revis played 36 snaps and recorded a 35.1 game grade. He allowed three catches for 29 yards in 19 coverage snaps and missed two tackles in nine attempts.
T Marshall Newhouse vs. Edge Justin Houston – Newhouse has surrendered six sacks this season, the fifth-most of any offensive tackle. He's allowed 23 total pressures and ranks 42nd at offensive tackle in pass-blocking efficiency (pressure allowed per-snap with weighting toward sacks). Houston is the 14th ranked edge defender this season with an 86.3 overall grade. He has nine sacks and 43 total pressures and is 29th in PFF pass-rushing productivity. Houston has been stout against the run and is tied for the lead among edge defenders with 26 run stops (plays graded as a “loss” for the offense).

Coverage by: Mike Guerrelli

RB Kareem Hunt vs. LB NaVorro Bowman – Kansas City's five wins to start the year followed by six losses in the next seven games mirrors Hunt's production this season. In Weeks 1-5, Hunt was fifth among running backs with 3.48 yards after contact per attempt and 11th with 1.84 yards per route run. In Weeks 6-13, he ranked 33rd with 2.52 yards after contact per attempt and 30th with 1.27 yards per route run. Bowman made his Raiders debut against the Chiefs in Week 7 and had eight tackles with four run stops (plays graded as a “win” for the defense). Since signing with Oakland, Bowman is 19th among linebackers with 12 run stops and ranks 29th allowing 0.95 yards per cover snap.

T Mitchell Schwartz vs. Edge Khalil Mack – After allowing three sacks in the first three games this season, Schwartz has not given up a sack since. He has allowed 26 total pressures in 460 pass-block snaps and is 26th in PFF pass-blocking efficiency among offensive tackles. Schwartz will be tested by Mack, who is coming off a strong Week 13 performance where he had a strip-sack and 11 total pressures. Mack’s 92.3 overall grade is fourth among edge defenders, and his 91.1 run-defense grade ranks second. He is tied for the lead among edge defenders with 26 run stops this season and ranks second with 62 total pressures.
TE Travis Kelce vs. S Karl Joseph – This is a matchup the Chiefs will look to take advantage of, as Kelce is the highest graded tight end this season with an 88.4 overall grade. Kelce leads all tight ends with 34 receptions and 508 yards receiving from the slot. He was held to four catches and 33 yards in the Week 7 game between these teams when Oakland often used Bruce Irvin to hit Kelce immediately off the line of scrimmage. Joseph is ranked 15th at safety this year with an 83.8 overall grade. He is 38th among safeties in yards allowed per coverage snap (0.53).