This week's meeting between the Chiefs and Raiders finds both teams mired in a lost season. The Raiders are still trying to rebuild after salary cap issues and weeding out players who weren't playing up to their salaries. The Chiefs find themselves without a long-term answer at QB, which has been put squarely on the shoulders of GM Scott Pioli. Both teams will be looking at the future and will try to see what they have in their young players the last three weeks of the season. The Chiefs have probably seen the last of Dwayne Bowe as he was put on the IR late last week, ending his season and going into next year as a free agent. The Raiders have expressed a desire to get a look at Terrelle Pryor and have some plays drawn up for him if they choose. It's probably in both team's best interest for draft position to lose this game, but we know that football players have a lot of pride and will do their best to try and get a W. Let's take a look at the match ups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
The Raiders are about as healthy on offense as they have been all year. Darren McFadden should be good to go and everyone on the offensive line is healthy. Look for Streater and Criner to see some additional playing time as they are looking at developing these players more for the future. The coaching staff is real high on Streater and it's clear over the last two weeks that he can make some plays downfield. The Chiefs defense has not been able to get many turnovers this year and have given up 25 passing TDs. They are also allowing 131.2 yards/game rushing with a 4.6 yard/carry average. Three of their best defensive players in Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, and Derrick Johnson are all banged up but should play.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Chiefs Offense
The Raiders defense has not been good for a majority of the season and to explain how desperate it is at CB, the starters for this game will be a guy they picked up off waivers before the season and a guy who started at FS his whole career. They should have Seymour back for the first time in a long time which should help the defense. Things are not looking good for Rolando McClain. He was reinstated this week but was relegated to playing RB for the scout team in practice this week. That position is usually reserved for practice squad players. The Chiefs will look to get Jamaal Charles more involved than he was last meeting, especially considering Bowe is out for the remainder of the season. Charles was only able to amass 10 total yards in the loss earlier in the season. Expect the Raiders to focus heavily on Charles and the running game with not threat in the passing game with Quinn at QB and no receiving threats.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders have not shown any flash of brilliance in the return game on kickoffs or punt returns this season. Lechler and Seabass are both having Pro Bowl-type years once again. Colquitt and Succop are both above average kickers with Colquitt's specialty being punts inside the 20. The Chiefs also don't have much of a return game to speak of.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 17, Chiefs 10
Record to Date: 8-5
Raiders Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
The Raiders are about as healthy on offense as they have been all year. Darren McFadden should be good to go and everyone on the offensive line is healthy. Look for Streater and Criner to see some additional playing time as they are looking at developing these players more for the future. The coaching staff is real high on Streater and it's clear over the last two weeks that he can make some plays downfield. The Chiefs defense has not been able to get many turnovers this year and have given up 25 passing TDs. They are also allowing 131.2 yards/game rushing with a 4.6 yard/carry average. Three of their best defensive players in Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, and Derrick Johnson are all banged up but should play.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Chiefs Offense
The Raiders defense has not been good for a majority of the season and to explain how desperate it is at CB, the starters for this game will be a guy they picked up off waivers before the season and a guy who started at FS his whole career. They should have Seymour back for the first time in a long time which should help the defense. Things are not looking good for Rolando McClain. He was reinstated this week but was relegated to playing RB for the scout team in practice this week. That position is usually reserved for practice squad players. The Chiefs will look to get Jamaal Charles more involved than he was last meeting, especially considering Bowe is out for the remainder of the season. Charles was only able to amass 10 total yards in the loss earlier in the season. Expect the Raiders to focus heavily on Charles and the running game with not threat in the passing game with Quinn at QB and no receiving threats.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
The Raiders have not shown any flash of brilliance in the return game on kickoffs or punt returns this season. Lechler and Seabass are both having Pro Bowl-type years once again. Colquitt and Succop are both above average kickers with Colquitt's specialty being punts inside the 20. The Chiefs also don't have much of a return game to speak of.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Raiders 17, Chiefs 10
Record to Date: 8-5
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