The Kansas City Chiefs may have an answer for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who looks healthy heading into Sunday’s matchup of unbeatens in Las Vegas: A three-safety package built around defensive back Chamarri Conner (knee).
There’s just one caveat: Conner has yet to play this season because of a knee injury sustained in camp.
Locked On Chiefs host Ryan Tracy and co-host Matt Derrick viewed Conner’s potential return as a chance to give Kansas City more flexibility around the Raiders’ most dangerous receiving matchup.
Derrick made Bowers the Chiefs’ non-negotiable defensive priority. Las Vegas also brings wide receiver Tre Tucker and running backs Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., but Derrick argued that Kansas City can live with modest gains on the ground if it prevents Bowers from controlling the middle of the field and creating explosive plays.
The proposed solution would use defensive back Jaden Hicks (who played last week despite dealing with a biceps issue) to disrupt Bowers early in routes, then allow Conner to help over the top or work as a robber defender. That look would let coordinator Steve Spagnuolo show the Raiders multiple pre-snap pictures without leaving Bowers in repeated one-on-one matchups.
But cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (also played despite a knee ailment) sits at the center of the concern. Derrick said opponents have found success attacking the inside coverage area, precisely where Bowers can do much of his work. Adding Conner to the rotation could keep Sneed from having to handle the tight end alone while also giving the Chiefs more options against Tucker in the slot.
The coverage plan also connects to the pass rush. Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins does not offer the same scrambling threat the Chiefs faced in Malik Willis last weekend and Derrick said Kansas City should be able to pressure him more aggressively if its safeties maintain run and coverage discipline. The goal is to force Cousins to diagnose disguised looks while the front reaches him without sacrificing the interior against Jeanty and Washington.
Conner’s practice participation and game designation this week will determine how much of that three-safety plan Kansas City can use Sunday. If Conner plays, the Chiefs would have a more natural way to devote extra attention to Bowers without exposing the rest of the secondary.
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