Raiders Need Ashton Jeanty to Breakout to Upset Chiefs

Las Vegas is one of the last five unbeaten teams in the NFL despite a modest start to the season from Ashton Jeanty. If the Raiders are going to knock off the Chiefs, Jeanty needs to step up. 

Jeanty had an inefficient rookie season where he ran for 975 yards but needed 266 carries. He ended the season ranked 44th (out of 49 qualified rushers) in yards per carry and 48th in success rate. The Raiders fed Jeanty plenty, but he never went anywhere. 

Three games into 2026, Jeanty is worse. His yards per carry and success rate are down from last season. Even with Las Vegas’ weak schedule, Jeanty still has struggled. But the Raiders are still forcing the ball to their starting running back. 

The Raiders have given Jeanty 80.7 percent of their running back carries this season. Despite Mike Washington outperforming Jeanty on a per touch basis, the backup only has 15 carries through three games. 

Last week in New Orleans, Washington turned his five carries into 54 yards while Jeanty was handed the ball 19 times and only picked up 56 yards. It was a sign the Raiders don’t care about which back looks competent; they will make sure Jeanty gets his touches. 

If the Raiders are that committed to Jeanty, he needs to pick up his production. So far the Raiders have gotten by with some big plays from Kirk Cousins and a dominant fourth-quarter defense. This week the test will be amped up. 

The Chiefs passing defense has been excellent to start the season. Kansas City has allowed a league-low two passing touchdowns, while picking off three passes. They rank top ten in expected points added allowed and success rate allowed on opponent drop backs as well.

The Broncos, Colts and Dolphins have not found success through the air against the Chiefs. If that continues for the Raiders, the running game will have to show up. Kansas City’s run defense has been solid this season as well, but not nearly as dominant as the pass defense. 

Offensive Line Injury

The Raiders will have a bit of adversity ahead of Jeanty, as right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson is likely going to miss Sunday’s showdown. That means Caleb Rogers will make his first start of the season. 

The guard play for Las Vegas has been a struggle. Powers-Johnson and left guard Spencer Burford have allowed the most pressures on the team and are the two worst run blockers, according to Pro Football Focus. 

But Powers-Johnson beat out Rogers for the starting right guard position in camp. Despite how bad he has been, the coaches think he is better than Rogers. That downgrade could make it even harder for Jeanty to get rolling.