Whenever any team plays the Kansas City Chiefs, star tight end Travis Kelce typically has a target on his back.
The seven-time All-Pro selection and 10-time Pro Bowler is arguably the team's top pass-catching threat, and usually a top priority of opposing defensive coordinators' game plans.
While the Chiefs have several other offensive players for defenders to key in on - second-year wideout Xavier Worthy, former 1,000-yard receiver Marquise Brown, and the returning Rashee Rice, who's back from his six-game suspension for violating the NFL‘s personal conduct policy - it's clear Kelce is a clear focus of the Vegas defense, and one linebacker in particular.
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Raiders Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White will likely draw plenty of coverage assignments against the 36-year-old tight end, but as he spoke to reporters on Wednesday, he sent a blunt message to his division rival.
"Devin White gonna win, that's all," White said of matching up against Kelce.
White took things a step further, letting Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes know that he and the Raiders defense are more than up to the task of shutting down the two-time MVP and the No. 8-ranked offense in the NFL.
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"I ain't scared," White added. "I know a lot of people look at him for what he is, the guy won three Super Bowls…but it's just good to have experience, and you know, I treat every game like a big game. But to go on the road and go in their house-they got a good stadium-and be able to do what we do. I know I'm going to be poised and have my guys ready to play."
The Raiders currently rank 11th in total defense (311 yards allowed per game), though they rank 22nd in points allowed (24.8 per game).
History is on the Chiefs side, however. Kansas City has dominated the series as of late, winning eight of the last 10 matchups and 12 of the last 14.
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