As the Las Vegas Raiders near finalizing Klint Kubiak‘s hiring as their next head coach after Super Bowl LX, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ defense stands as a clear counterpoint, one that has consistently frustrated Kubiak’s offenses and underscored the challenge awaiting the Raiders in the AFC West.

Over the last four teams Kubiak has coached, from offensive coordinator stops to play-calling roles, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has kept Kansas City unbeaten.

Spagnuolo’s defenses boast a 4-0 record against those units, a run that stretches back to matchups in 2022 and 2024.

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In those contests, the Chiefs‘ approach has blended relentless pressure with opportunistic playmaking.

Spagnuolo has consistently battled against Kubiak

Against Kubiak’s Saints in 2024, Spagnuolo‘s group limited New Orleans to 220 total yards in a 26-13 win, featuring a sack by Tershawn Wharton and an interception by Bryan Cook.

In the Chiefs‘ last encounter with the Raiders under the current coaching regime, a Week 7 clash at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City‘s defense blanked Las Vegas 31-0.

The shutout was historic: it marked the Chiefs‘ first regular-season shutout of the Raiders since 2011 and showcased a defense that throttled Las Vegas to just 95 total yards.

That dominance resonated throughout the locker room. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, one of the unit’s most consistent stars, spoke after the game about the collective effort, even referencing a light-hearted suggestion for a victory meal from Spagnuolo‘s family.

While the Raiders‘ roster has seen its share of offensive talent, including tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, the Chiefs‘ defense under Spagnuolo has consistently found ways to limit big plays and force mistakes.

For a franchise about to embark on a fresh chapter with Kubiak at the helm, that history looms large.

Sanctions and scheme wrinkles aside, Kansas City‘s defensive identity has become one of the more stable elements of the Chiefs‘ recent success.

And even if Las Vegas were to land a high-profile prospect like Fernando Mendoza and accelerate its rebuild around a new offensive centerpiece, history suggests Spagnuolo‘s defenses would still present a steep learning curve.

His units have routinely confused young passers with late pressure looks, disguised coverages, and matchup-specific game plans designed to take away first reads.

A rivalry shaped by history and change

The Chiefs–Raiders rivalry dates back more than six decades and remains one of the most storied in the AFC West.

Kansas City leads the all-time series comfortably, a bulwark of consistency even as personnel and coaches have shifted through the years.

That rivalry history places added weight on every divisional encounter. While the Raiders will be counting on Kubiak‘s offensive acumen and the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft to flip the script, the Chiefs‘ recent dominance, particularly on defense, complicates any immediate turnaround.

Spagnuolo‘s defensive staff has also adapted beyond just these head-to-head duels.

Over the course of the 2025 season, Kansas City‘s defense has generally limited opponents to efficient scoring and has shown flexibility across formations, a sign of a coordinator comfortable shaping his strategy to opponent tendencies.

As Las Vegas moves forward under new leadership, the Chiefs‘ defensive foundation could be a benchmark for how prepared the Raiders are to compete in the division.

Adjustments and coaching identity matter, and in their last several meetings with Kubiak’s systems, Kansas City‘s defense has done the adjusting.