Three weeks into the 2026 season, the AFC West already has a giant showdown waiting under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are both 3-0, both scoring 29.3 points per game, and both trying to prove that their fast starts are real. When they meet Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EDT, one unbeaten team will take a big early step in the division race.

For Las Vegas, this game is a chance to show how far the team has come. The Raiders went 3-14 last season and scored fewer points than any other AFC team. Now rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads an offense with a new look and a new purpose. The Raiders added center Tyler Linderbaum and guard Spencer Burford to make the line stronger, and that work has helped create room for Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty is the engine of this offense. He runs with power, keeps his legs moving through tackles, and can catch passes when defenders crowd the line. His 63 rushing attempts show that Las Vegas trusts him to carry a heavy load. He also has two receiving touchdowns, which makes him hard to track. If the Chiefs focus too much on stopping Jeanty, Mendoza could find space for tight end Brock Bowers.

Bowers has played only one game this season, but he made it count with 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. His knee remains something to watch, yet his ability to line up in different spots can make life easier for a rookie quarterback. Mendoza does not need to win the game alone. He needs to make smart throws, use his two young stars, and avoid giving Kansas City extra chances.

That is difficult against a Chiefs team that looks much more like its old self. Kansas City gained more than 416 yards per game through three weeks, which means it has moved the ball with both speed and balance. Patrick Mahomes has thrown seven touchdown passes while adding a rushing score, and he can turn a broken play into a problem for any defense.

Mahomes has help this time. Kenneth Walker III has raced for 360 yards and has been just as useful catching the ball. His quick cuts can pull defenders toward the line, opening room for Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. Rice is dangerous after short catches, while Kelce uses smart routes and reliable hands to find open areas. The Raiders have Maxx Crosby to rush Mahomes, but their defense has allowed more yards than it has gained. Crosby and the pass rush must make Mahomes uncomfortable before Kansas City’s playmakers get rolling.

Las Vegas has already beaten Miami, the Chargers, and New Orleans, showing grit in different kinds of games. But the Chiefs have allowed only 16.7 points per game and bring more offense into this matchup. If Bowers is active and Jeanty controls the pace, the Raiders can make this a fourth-quarter fight. Still, Kansas City’s deeper attack, led by Mahomes and Walker, gives it the edge. Prediction: The Chiefs will win a thrilling AFC West battle.

Undefeated Raiders and Chiefs Bring New Energy to Las Vegas