Breaking: Raiders Prepare for Tough Test as Patrick Mahomes Gets Key Players Back

The Las Vegas Raiders fell to 2-9 last week, surrendering their first sweep to the Denver Broncos in years. Next up, the Chiefs.

The Las Vegas Raiders won’t be going to the Super Bowl. That said, they will still take part in one matchup against Patrick Mahomes on a historical stage. For the first time in NFL history, two teams are scheduled to play on Black Friday.

While Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to creating reactions to his performances on special stages, the Las Vegas Raiders will get a matchup in front of the entire country on Friday. Analysts appear to have emptied their tanks on the 2-9 Raiders, but a win on Friday could move mountains for analysts who will have no choice but to react to the game.

For the most hardcore Las Vegas Raiders fans have managed to stick around this long, a win on Black Friday would mean everything. However, when it comes to the lead-up to the game, the Raiders might already be down to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes gets offensive weapon back

According to Pro Football Talk, head coach Andy Reid told reporters that he expected running back Isiah Pacheco to return to the fold this week. He also said that defensive end Charles Omenihu is expected to return for the tilt against the Raiders as well.

The Chiefs will, in other words, have a reloaded rushing attack and a boost to their pass rush just in time to face a two-win team. Patrick Mahomes has 15 AFC fanbases siding with the Raiders, but the tone is grim.

Chiefs stumble into powerful running back room

While the loss of Isiah Pacheco was never something Andy Reid would have signed up for, the net result could prove to be a positive one in the end. Had Pacheco never suffered an injury, the team most likely never would have had the urgency to push for Kareem Hunt. Now, the team has two starting quality running backs to back up Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes has proven his ability to scramble upfield this season as well, putting the Chiefs in somewhat of a similar offense to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have figured out how to maximize the run-first style of offense, but can the Chiefs figure out a way to match? First, they’ll have to figure out their backfield against what might be one of their easiest games to overlook this season.