The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the league’s most surprising teams after three weeks, while the Kansas City Chiefs are back in familiar territory after an injury-plagued down year.

Both are 3-0 and will play for sole possession of first place in the AFC West.

■ Who: Raiders vs. Chiefs

■ When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday

■ Where: Allegiant Stadium

■ TV: CBS (Jim Nantz, play-by-play; J.J. Watt, analyst)

■ Radio: KRLV-AM (920), KOMP-FM (92.3) (Jason Horowitz, play-by-play; Kirk Morrison, analyst)

■ Line: Chiefs -4½, total 47½

It has been a very one-sided rivalry as of late.

The Raiders did end last season with a victory in a game where injured quarterback Patrick Mahomes was joined by several other veterans on the sideline, but the Chiefs had captured 19 of the previous 23 meetings.

Kansas City now holds a 76-56-2 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1960.

The Raiders did score a convincing 44-6 win in the 1968 AFL championship game.

Kansas City won the two other postseason meetings.

Jan. 4, 2026 — Daniel Carlson hit a 60-yard field goal in the final seconds to lift the Raiders to a 14-12 victory in the season finale.

It was Carlson’s fourth field goal of the game in what was his final game with the franchise.

Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele combined for 146 passing yards and were sacked eight times in place of an injured Mahomes, including once in the end zone for a safety.

Charles Snowden, Tyree Wilson and Tonka Hemingway each had two sacks for the Raiders, who had already secured the top pick in the draft.

1. Maxx Crosby, who has not recorded a sack since the opener, will get at least two against Mahomes.

2. Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. will get at least 10 touches for the first time in his career, including his first involvement in the passing game.

3. Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks, a Bishop Gorman alum, will force his first turnover of the season in his return to Las Vegas.

This should be the biggest game at Allegiant Stadium since the playoff-clinching win over the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.

It’s a great rivalry that has still provided some great moments despite the Chiefs’ dominance in the last decade, but the Raiders being relevant will only bolster the festivities.

Mahomes said it has been fun to hear Chiefs fans take over Allegiant Stadium over the years, including when they won the Super Bowl there, but believes the Raiders fans may finally be out in full force this week.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a very hostile environment, trying to take me back to those Oakland Raiders days and so I’m excited just for the challenge,” he told reporters. “They’re playing great football. You can see it on tape. That 3-0 record’s real. They’ve been playing great the entire season. And so, for us, it’s another step, another challenge that we have to go up there and match.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who is tied with Antonio Pierce and Josh McDaniels for most wins by a head coach in Allegiant Stadium history, believes it’s good for the NFL when the Raiders are good.

“It’s great for the league,” he said. “It’s great for the Raiders fans. They should be excited. You love that part of this. You love the challenge. That’s why we all do this thing and going against a good team. You put all this work and time in. You love going against a good team.”

It’s a great opportunity to prove legitimacy for the Raiders, who are 3-0 against three opponents with a combined record of 1-8.

Mahomes is starting to look like Mahomes again, but what should really scare the league is how well the Chiefs have integrated Kenneth Walker III into the offense.

He is leading the NFL in rushing through three weeks.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak knows exactly how impactful Walker can be, having been his offensive coordinator last year in Seattle when the running back won Super Bowl MVP.

“Big playability,” Kubiak said of Walker. “He can hit a home run from anywhere on the field.

“Kenneth is a tremendous back. He’s playing as good as anybody in the league right now, and we have to stop him.”

The Chiefs running game has opened up the play-action, and Mahomes has been able to take advantage by incorporating the deep ball back in the offense.

They are also leading the league in yards after catch.

It has made for a dynamic start to the season as they have steadily climbed the odds board and are now among the Super Bowl favorites.

And with Reid, the Raiders must always be aware of the bizarre and obscure.

Remember the merry-go-round huddle at Allegiant Stadium?

During a Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos, Reid called a play he had seen on a black-and-white highlight video from 1936 and it went for a touchdown.

The Raiders will be ready for anything.

“Play your rules,” defensive coordinator Rob Leonard said of what he tells his defense about the unexpected. “Focus on us. They will do what they do. Again, goes back to good eyes, discipline, great communication, and trust your rules and the process.”

Easier said than done.

Much has been made of Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo going 4-0 against Kubiak’s offenses the last four years, but Kubiak was only an offensive coordinator and playcaller for one of those games.

It should be a great chess match with each being among the best in the league at calling plays on their respective side of the ball.

“Every year, I’d say they’re the best coached unit in the league,” Kubiak said. “It shows on tape.”

Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko is excited for the challenge of going against Spagnuolo.

“He’s been doing it for a long time, and he’s been doing stuff really well for a long time,” Janocko said. “That group’s been together. They’re cohesive. They’re unbelievably well coached. Everybody knows how to do what they are asked to do and do it at a fast-paced level. It’s a tremendous challenge for us.”

Fortunately for the Raiders, they have star tight end Brock Bowers back to help attack that defense.

His 2026 debut in New Orleans looked like a continuation of training camp when he appeared to be both the first and second option on most pass plays.

Kirk Cousins has thrown three touchdown passes in all three games and took the passing offense to a new level with Bowers back in the mix.

The Raiders need to find a way to run the ball effectively, though. Ashton Jeanty has largely been stuck in neutral the last two weeks, perhaps feeling the effects of a preseason ankle injury. Washington gave the Raiders a spark last week and may have earned more opportunities.

■ Raiders: Out: G Jackson Powers-Johnson (groin). Questionable: QB Aidan O’Connell (personal).

■ Chiefs: Out: OT Josh Simmons (back).

Chiefs 27, Raiders 20

Adam Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal