Chiefs Week is upon us.

The Las Vegas Raiders head into their first of two games this season against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders' divisional foes are riding high as they come into Week 8 on a 12-game win streak dating back to last season. The last team to defeat them was, in fact, the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day 2023.

However, the tables have turned for a Silver and Black team trying to find ways to end a three-game slide. Coming out on the winning end of these following matchups could play a huge factor in knocking off the Chiefs once again.

Brock Bowers vs. Travis Kelce

It's extremely fitting we'll see this contest of National Tight End Day as these two duke it out in Allegiant Stadium. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one of the most accomplished at his position in NFL history. He's a three-time Super Bowl champion and four-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

Statistically, it's been a down year for Kelce, who is averaging less than 41 receiving yards a game. Nevertheless, he still remains Patrick Mahomes' top target with a team-leading 28 receptions. Since entering the league in 2013, Kelce usually leads all tight ends in most receiving categories – but there's a new sheriff in town.

Rookie Brock Bowers has had a short learning curve through seven career games, leading all tight ends in receiving yards (477), receptions (47) and yards after contact (251). His 47 catches are also the second most of any player in the league currently.

Expect for him to continue having a high volume of production this Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs defense has allowed the second-most receptions (43) and receiving yards (501) to tight ends this season.

"I always think I can get more yards after catch, get more open – that's always a thing," Bowers said Wednesday. "I just want to keep improving and bring my game to the next level."

Raiders offensive line vs. Chris Jones

The Raiders will have to play as one in the trenches to combat the Chiefs' biggest weapon on defense.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones has been a thorn in the side of the Raiders for his whole career, with expectations of providing the same challenges this Sunday. He leads his team in sacks (three) while also has the second-best pass rush win rate (21 percent) among interior linemen, according to ESPN. Jones has been doubled-teamed on 76 percent on pass downs this season, something Antonio Pierce plans to do with rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson and company.

"It'll be Jackson and the group, Jackson and five other guys," Pierce said. "But no, we cannot leave a rookie offensive lineman on Chris Jones, that's not going to happen. Didn't do it last year, don't plan on doing it this year, because he's going against obviously a premier, probably future Hall of Famer at defensive tackle. ... But excited to see it though, because he's going to battle. It's going to be a slug fest in there."

The unit tasked with limiting Jones will consist of Powers-Johnson, center Andre James and potentially Jordan Meredith if right guard Dylan Parham is down for another game. Meredith, a 2022 UDFA, didn't allow a single one-on-one quarterback pressure in Week 7 and has earned an 87.7 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus over the past two weeks.

"He's a blue-collar guy, he's scrappy, he's grimy," Pierce said of Meredith. "You've just got to have one of those guys that just want to get dirty and mix it up. But more importantly, he doesn't make a lot of mistakes. And when you go in there and you throw through two games now with him in there, and you're like, you don't mention Jordan's name. I think that's really a credit to him and the staff just getting him ready to go, and he's prepared, and he's been in the situation now for two years and he's stepped up."

Raiders' third-down defense vs. Chiefs' third-down offense

Staying on the field is a strength for the Chiefs offense, while getting off the field is equally a strength for the Raiders defense.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is notorious for his ability to extend plays and keep his eyes down the field, which also meshes well with Head Coach Andy Reid's play-calling creativity. The Chiefs have a 45.3 percent conversation rating on third downs, the fourth highest in the league.

However, the Raiders defense has allowed just a 28.9 percent conversation rate on third downs, the second lowest to opposing offenses in the league. An anchor for the Silver and Black on third downs has been Jakorian Bennett, with seven pass deflections and a 40.6 percent completion rating when he's the nearest defender. Tre’von Moehrig and Robert Spillane can also be included in the conversation with a combined 56 defensive stops, per to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Of course, the Raiders defense will do everything in their power to limit Mahomes and his offense from being on the field this Sunday. If they're successful in their pursuit and put the offense in good field position, things could fare well for the Silver and Black in Allegiant Stadium.