Chiefs aren't letting AFC West goals get in the way of Raiders prep | KCSN Daily 12.21
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Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season is a pretty big week for the Kansas City Chiefs.
With a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs can lock up their eighth consecutive AFC West win. It’d be the second-longest division winning streak in NFL history next to the 11-straight AFC East wins from New England Patriots with Tom Brady as their quarterback.
The Chiefs, however, aren’t looking to get too far ahead of themselves. Patrick Mahomes says that even though winning the AFC West is the first checkpoint in their postseason aspirations, it doesn’t affect their preparation for the upcoming opponent.
“Not necessarily,” Mahomes said. “I think you just have to take it like it’s a game. You’re going up against the Raiders. We know how intense it’s going to be. We know what this rivalry means to both sides. It’s going to be a great battle. We’re excited for the opportunity to play at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Obviously, if we win, we can clinch the division, that’s part of it. At the same time, I think it’s just when these two teams go up against each other, there’s going to be an added step in the – I don’t want to say pressure – but the momentum where you have to go out there and give everything you’ve got.”
Andy Reid doesn’t much care to talk about the postseason before he gets there. His sole focus is on getting his team prepared to face a Raiders squad that scored 63 points against the Chargers seven days ago. In this particular game, the only thing anyone has to get up for is the rivalry between the Chiefs and Raiders.
“The main thing is getting ready, and you know that they’re still alive,” Reid said. “Then it’s the Raiders versus the Chiefs, so you just have to get ready. You don’t have to really talk about all the other stuff. It’s one of those Raiders/Chiefs games.”
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Chris Jones wants to see George Karlaftis reach double-digit sacks:
George Karlaftis has already surpassed both his sack and pressure total from his rookie season. He’s taken the step forward that the Chiefs have needed, but with just one more sack on the 2023 NFL season, Karlaftis can become the first non-Chris Jones play to reach double-digit sacks in Kansas City since 2018.
Jones is one of his most vocal supporters in that pursuit.
“He (George Karlaftis) needs to get 10,” Jones said. “He needs to get 10. We’ve been talking about this all week. I’ve been giving him crap all week, I think it was one of his goals coming in this season to make sure he has double digits, and I want to push him to get that. He works so hard during the season, during the offseason, me and him talk about it a lot. I think it would be another milestone in his career to reach that. We have three more games left, and I think he’s able to do it, I think it would be tremendous not only for his confidence and game moving forward but give him something to build off of.”
Jones added, “I told George if continues to double his sack count each year he’s going to kick me to the curb.”
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According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Chiefs are double-digit favorites over the Raiders.
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Important Dates Ahead:
Dec. 25: NFL Week 16 - Raiders at Chiefs
Dec. 31: NFL Week 17 - Bengals at Chiefs
Jan. 7: NFL Week 18 - Chiefs at Chargers
