This Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Las Vegas Raiders. We are excited to have Matt Holder from Silver and Black Pride, our sister SBNation site focusing on the Raiders, join us for an insightful Q&A Session with an Expert on the Raiders.

1) Understanding the Raiders’ Decision to Prioritize Aidan O’Connell Over Desmond Ridder: What’s Behind This Choice?

Desmond Ridder was initially brought in primarily as a backup when Aidan O’Connell faced an injury, as the only other quarterbacks available were Gardner Minshew and undrafted rookie Carter Bradley, who is currently on the practice squad. There had been speculation regarding Ridder potentially starting after the bye week, but that did not materialize, effectively confirming his role as the QB2 for the team.

Moreover, O’Connell has had limited experience, playing only one game and a quarter as the starter before his injury. The front office seems eager to evaluate a larger sample size of his performance to better gauge his potential as a long-term starter. While I remain skeptical about whether he will ultimately secure the job, the remainder of the Raiders’ season is crucial for determining who will be part of their future plans.

2) Analyzing the Raiders’ Short Yardage Struggles: Are Improvements on the Horizon?

The Las Vegas Raiders have seen some improvement in their offensive line with rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson stepping in at center and Jordan Meredith providing support as a left guard. However, the running back situation remains somewhat uncertain. Both Zamir White and Alexander Mattison have underperformed this season and missed last week’s game, while Sincere McCormick showed promise with five carries for 33 yards. However, it’s essential to note that this is a small sample size and may not reflect a consistent performance.

In summary, while the Raiders have demonstrated some progress in their running game and short-yardage situations, it hasn’t been enough for me to confidently assert that the situation has significantly improved. The upcoming game will be a critical test of their capabilities in these areas.

3) Anticipating a Major Overhaul: Will the Raiders Revamp Their Front Office and Coaching Staff?

This is a significant question that remains somewhat ambiguous at this point.

I believe General Manager Tom Telesco will likely keep his position, especially since this is his inaugural year in the role and the Raiders’ draft class has shown promise, particularly with the notable performance of tight end Brock Bowers. Regarding head coach Antonio Pierce, the idea of starting fresh with another system is concerning, especially considering this franchise has cycled through three full-time head coaches in the 2020s, and four if you include interim coach Rich Bisaccia in 2021. However, it may be challenging to justify retaining Pierce after what is expected to be a two to four-win season.

In the end, if I had to make a prediction, I would suggest that Telesco retains his position, while Mark Davis opts to revamp the coaching staff and potentially seeks the guidance of Tom Brady to help identify a new head coach.

4) Insights from Veterans: What Is the Mood Like in the Raiders’ Locker Room This Season?

Veteran player Maxx Crosby has expressed clear frustration regarding the way this season has unraveled. Following a loss in Miami just two games prior, he told reporters, “We’re just playing for pride at this point,” according to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed. In a recent statement, he remarked, “If we’re not playing to win, then what are we doing? I don’t play to get a better pick,” as noted by 8 News Now’s Logan Reever.

It’s difficult to blame Crosby, as this season has been a complete disaster, and it feels as though the Raiders are wasting his prime years despite his continued strong performance. Consequently, there is palpable frustration within the locker room that extends beyond just the players.

Coach Pierce has also shown visible irritation with the Raiders’ play calling after last week’s game, expressing his desire to avoid “seeing the ball thrown 40 times.” This situation is particularly ironic given that he hired and subsequently fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy earlier this year, only to appoint Scott Turner as the interim OC just weeks ago. Clearly, the current state of affairs in Las Vegas is chaotic, and the blame game has begun.

5) Predictions for the Upcoming Match: Can the Raiders Turn the Tables Against the Chiefs?

The Raiders haven’t secured a victory since September and have not experienced a one-possession loss since their last encounter with the Chiefs in October. That game was close primarily because they managed to score late with a garbage-time touchdown. Given this context, I do not foresee Las Vegas pulling off another holiday miracle, and I suspect that Kansas City has learned valuable lessons from last year’s Christmas Day debacle. I have a strong feeling this matchup will not be competitive, leaning heavily in favor of the Chiefs.

To explore my responses to their questions in detail, click here.