The Raiders’ start has been built on more than a hot record. At 3-0 after a 3-14 season, they’ve climbed to the top of the AFC West for now because the offense is finally functioning with real force, and the biggest reason is Tyler Linderbaum in the middle.
Linderbaum’s arrival has changed the shape of the Raiders’ line in a hurry. The former Ravens center reset the market in free agency to get to Las Vegas, and early returns suggest the Raiders got exactly what they paid for.
He’s been steady in pass protection, but his value goes well beyond that. He’s the hinge point of the whole operation when the run game is rolling, helping the backs find clean lanes and keeping the offense organized before the snap.
According to Levi Dombro of Just Blog Baby, the pre-snap mistakes have basically vanished, stunt looks haven’t been causing chaos, and free rushers are rarely getting home untouched. He also said Linderbaum has twice made “a ridiculously athletic play for his size to save Kirk Cousins just before a touchdown throw.”
His verdict was simple: “He has been awesome.”
That doesn’t mean Kansas City is staring at a wall across the board. The Chiefs can still find places to press, especially inside.
Spencer Burford has been the most obvious issue at left guard, allowing 12 pressures in three games. Jackson Powers-Johnson has also been uneven at right guard, and a groin injury could keep him out this week.
If that happens, the Chiefs could see Caleb Rogers at right guard, a second-year player with only a handful of games under his belt. That kind of setup could force Linderbaum to cover too much ground and open the door for Steve Spagnuolo to load up on the guards.
The matchup off the edge looks a little different. Kansas City has a speed threat in R Mason Thomas, but that may not be the best place to hunt.
DJ Glaze, the Raiders’ right tackle, has had trouble with quick rushers in the past, but he’s made a noticeable jump this season and handled Chop Robinson in Week 1, a player whose speed had bothered him since college. On the other side, Kolton Miller remains as reliable as ever, and his softer spots tend to come against power rushers like Khalil Mack rather than fast ones.
So while the Raiders’ front has taken a clear step forward, the Chiefs still have a path. The interior is where the pressure points remain, even with Linderbaum anchoring the middle and changing the conversation around this offensive line.
In Other News...
Tom Bradys Latest Rankings Set Up A Chiefs Debate
Tom Bradys latest NFL power rankings for FOX Sports after Week 3 stirred the usual debate, and for Kansas City, the conversation is less about who sits at the top than who is being watched closely. Brady bumped the 49ers to No. 1 after their unbeaten start, dropped the Seahawks to No. 6 after their first loss, and also praised Brock Purdy while sliding the Raiders into the top five because of their undefeated record.
For Chiefs fans, the bigger question is where Kansas City fits in that pecking order and what Bradys eye test says about the teams chasing it. Any ranking this early invites argument, especially when unbeaten teams are rewarded and a contender like Seattle can fall quickly after one slip, which is exactly the kind of setup that keeps a weekly debate alive around the league. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Fans Are Turning Another Raiders Home Game Into A Road Test
The buildup to Sundays Chiefs-Raiders matchup at Allegiant Stadium has already turned into another familiar discussion point for Las Vegas: who will actually make up the crowd. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and defensive end Maxx Crosby both had to address the issue this week, a sign that the noise around the stands may be nearly as loud as the one on the field.
Raiders fans have taken to social media to vent about the possibility of Kansas City supporters overwhelming the building again, and they have been urging other Las Vegas fans to show up and help create some kind of home-field edge. For the Raiders, it is another reminder that making Allegiant feel like their place has been a problem, and for the Chiefs it is simply part of what comes with a road trip that often looks and sounds a little too familiar. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Linked To WR Move That Could Change Their Ceiling
The Chiefs wide receiver room has been a source of discussion as they continue looking for more firepower to complement the rest of the offense, and that has pushed them into the conversation around Brian Thomas Jr. According to ESPNs Dan Graziano, Kansas City is one of several teams viewed as a potential trade suitor for the Jacksonville Jaguars wideout, a sign that the market for impact pass catchers could get busy.
San Francisco and Las Vegas are also said to be in the mix, which only adds to the intrigue for Kansas City if the Jaguars decide to listen. Jacksonville has enough other receivers to potentially make such a move possible, and for the Chiefs, the appeal is obvious: adding a player like Thomas could alter the ceiling of an offense that still has room to grow. [Read more 🡒]