Countdown to Paydirt: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders
Bitter AFC Wet rivals meet again on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) face the Oakland Raiders (2-6). During their week-two meeting, the Silver & Black pulled out a 13-10-road victory despite being dominated in total yardage (409-166) and time of possession (38:39- 21:21). Both clubs have had a lot off the field concerns and they will fight to avoid being the cellar dwellers of the division.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
On Offense:
Is Chaz Schilens finally seeing football action on Sunday? We’ll have to wait and see, but so far, all indications point to the 24-year old making his debut in 2009. “It’s feeling better, It’s not worse,” stated the wide out who has been inactive since breaking a bone in his foot back in the summer.
“I don’t know if it will be for right now, but I kind of just go to go and do what I can,” he continued when asked if his injury is completely healed.
Darren McFadden is set to return to the running back rotation. He has practiced with the team this week. And on Sunday, McFadden will face an opponent he has racked up 212 rushing yards, 79 yards receiving and 2 scores against in three career games.
What to Expect:
Kansas City is allowing 136.3 rushing yards per game. Oakland must run the football to have any success in this game. Getting McFadden back will help the diversity of this offense, but pounding the football with Justin Fargas will help them move the chains. If Schilens does play, expect Oakland to go with more three-receiver formations. The health of many of these players should help Tom Cable’s lackluster play calling.
On Defense:
Struggling cornerback Chris Johnson is highly optimistic regarding Oakland’s second half. “If you really want to look at it, you can go 8-0 and you might end up 10-6,” Johnson said yesterday. “There’s a possible way you can actually do it.”
The Raider cornerback may be kept busy this week with Matt Cassel coming off a 23-for-39 performance, with 262 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. Johnson has the bull’s eye on his jersey being the second part of the tandem with Nnamdi Asomugha.
What to Expect:
The Chiefs offensive line has allowed 30 sacks this season (31st in the NFL). Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly and the rest of the front-seven has to be on attack mode. John Marshall’s unit had a field day against the Eagles by blitzing and confusing the Philadelphia offensive line. Greg Ellis will continue his recovery from knee and shoulder surgery, so Trevor Scott and rookie Matt Shaughnessy should get ample opportunities to stake their claim to more reps along the defensive line.
Thomas Howard & the rest of the Oakland defense will look to celebrate more in the 2nd half
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
On Offense:
The Chiefs parted ways with Larry Johnson, but now must find a replacement for one of the weakest ground attacks in the league.
Kansas City is averaging a pedestrian 96.1 yards per game and are the only team in the league not to tally a rushing score so far in 2009. Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith are two options. But neither was impressive against Jacksonville last week.
In his first career start, Smith ran for 150 yards on 31 carries with 2 touchdowns against the Silver & Black on November 25, 2007.
What to Expect:
The Raider rush defense is allowing 161 yards per game. Just what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs. It won’t be easy after the lost of Mike Goff (RG), but Oakland struggles against teams that commit to run the football against them and Smith’s shiftiness could be effective versus a Raider team that can be undisciplined and can get sloppy in their tackling.
On Defense:
Kansas City corralled the Raiders ground game in their first match-up, allowing a measly 67-yards. They would sign up for similar results right now, especially if they could place the game in the hands of JaMarcus Russell.
Their 30th ranked defense has many holes. But can scheme overcome many of their deficiencies and force Russell into miscues?
The front-seven tallied one sack last week, so more pressure will be needed. Tamba Hali has only three-sacks in 2009, and no other defender on this roster has more than one-sack.
What to Expect:
Starting cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr cannot let the Raiders’ young targets gain confidence early in this game. They must play physical at the line of scrimmage and harass them all afternoon. Russell’s accuracy has been off all year. So the Chief secondary has to be ready to pounce on his mistakes and keep Oakland’s wide receivers from getting any touches.
GAME NOTES
- This will be the 99th meeting between both teams. The Chiefs hold a 51-45-2 advantage in the regular season. Oakland has been victorious in three of the last four meetings.
- WR Nick Miller and LB Ricky Brown were inactive during practice on Wednesday.
- Chris Chambers, who faced the Raiders a few weeks ago as a member of the San Diego Chargers is now a Chief. Chambers recorded 3 receptions for 70 yards and 2 scores last week in his debut in Kansas City, this after Tom Cable stated he had no interest in the target due to the talent he possessed on the roster.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Chambers & Dwayne Bowe vs. Asomugha & Johnson
Cassel will look to have another solid game against Oakland and a consecutive week with productive numbers. Now that he has a second target teams have to focus on, it will open up the passing game for the Chiefs.
Which Run D breaks down?
Both teams can allow big chunks on the ground. McFadden’s memorable moments have been against the Chiefs and KC would love to get something going on the ground as to relive the pressure off Cassel’s shoulders.
PREDICTION
Raiders 19 – Chiefs 16
TV & RADIO
The game will be televised on CBS with Gus Johnson providing play-by-play and former NFL player Steve Tasker handling color analysis. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will air in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 12th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited from the official Raiders web site)
GAME INFO
Sunday, November 15, 2009, 1:05 p.m. PT | Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, CA
Road Team: Kansas City Chiefs (1-7) Home: 0-4 Road: 1-3
Home Team: Oakland Raiders (2-6) Home: 1-3 Road: 1-3
Point Spread: Raiders -2 (favored)
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
