The Oakland Raiders head to the Midwest to take on another surprising team in the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders are coming off a late-night win over the San Diego Chargers 27-17 and look to continue the momentum heading into Arrowhead. The Chiefs are looking to go 6-0 after defeating the Tennessee Titans on the road in Nashville. The Raiders are banged up at RB with both Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings listed as questionable. Will the Raiders continue their dominance at Arrowhead and make it 7 in a row over the Chiefs, or will Kansas City find a way to finally eek out a win against the team from the Bay? Let's take a look at the matchups and predict a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
The Raiders will most likely be without their playmaker in McFadden for the second straight week, but that didn't stop Terrelle Pryor from showing that he is willing to take a team on his back and show the league that he will find a way to win. Pryor last week posted the highest passer rating for a Raider QB in a game since Rich Gannon in his 2002 MVP season. He has done exceptionally well while throwing from the pocket, completing 72% of his throws, second in the NFL only to Peyton Manning. Most teams have tried to contain him in the pocket and keep him from scrambling for big gains but have found that Pryor is more than capable of beating them from the pocket as well. He will take what he's been given, however, and if a lane is free to run in, he'll do so. He currently ranks second among QB's in rushing in the NFL. KC has not fared well against dual-threat QB's, but have still found a way to win those games. The Chiefs lead the league in sacks and most of the pressure they get with only their down-linemen. It will be a good cat-and-mouse game between Pryor and the defense as each side adjusts to what the other is doing.
Advantage: Chiefs
Raiders Defense vs. Chiefs Offense
The Raiders on defense has had a couple good games in a row where they have created several turnovers, while the Chiefs offense has struggled to hang on to the ball in the last two. We'll see if that trend continues today. The Chiefs rely heavily on Jamaal Charles out of the backfield in both the running game and the passing game as he leads the team in rushing attempts, yards, receptions and receiving yards. The key for the success of the Raiders defense will be on how they control the amount of yards Charles gets on those touches. The Raiders on defense will also try to control the short to intermediate throws and force Alex Smith to try and beat them deep, something he has not had much success in throughout his career.
Advantage: Chiefs
Special Teams
The Raiders have played well in coverages, but KC can break a return and go the distance with their returners. Punting and Kicking mastery will be on display as both teams have plus kickers and punters.
Advantage: Raiders
Expect this game to be a low scoring contest that will be close throughout. KC will finally end the frustration of the past 6 years and get a win at home against the Raiders that has alluded them for so many years.
Prediction: Chiefs 16, Raiders 13
Record to Date: 2-2
Raiders Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
The Raiders will most likely be without their playmaker in McFadden for the second straight week, but that didn't stop Terrelle Pryor from showing that he is willing to take a team on his back and show the league that he will find a way to win. Pryor last week posted the highest passer rating for a Raider QB in a game since Rich Gannon in his 2002 MVP season. He has done exceptionally well while throwing from the pocket, completing 72% of his throws, second in the NFL only to Peyton Manning. Most teams have tried to contain him in the pocket and keep him from scrambling for big gains but have found that Pryor is more than capable of beating them from the pocket as well. He will take what he's been given, however, and if a lane is free to run in, he'll do so. He currently ranks second among QB's in rushing in the NFL. KC has not fared well against dual-threat QB's, but have still found a way to win those games. The Chiefs lead the league in sacks and most of the pressure they get with only their down-linemen. It will be a good cat-and-mouse game between Pryor and the defense as each side adjusts to what the other is doing.
Advantage: Chiefs
Raiders Defense vs. Chiefs Offense
The Raiders on defense has had a couple good games in a row where they have created several turnovers, while the Chiefs offense has struggled to hang on to the ball in the last two. We'll see if that trend continues today. The Chiefs rely heavily on Jamaal Charles out of the backfield in both the running game and the passing game as he leads the team in rushing attempts, yards, receptions and receiving yards. The key for the success of the Raiders defense will be on how they control the amount of yards Charles gets on those touches. The Raiders on defense will also try to control the short to intermediate throws and force Alex Smith to try and beat them deep, something he has not had much success in throughout his career.
Advantage: Chiefs
Special Teams
The Raiders have played well in coverages, but KC can break a return and go the distance with their returners. Punting and Kicking mastery will be on display as both teams have plus kickers and punters.
Advantage: Raiders
Expect this game to be a low scoring contest that will be close throughout. KC will finally end the frustration of the past 6 years and get a win at home against the Raiders that has alluded them for so many years.
Prediction: Chiefs 16, Raiders 13
Record to Date: 2-2
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