NFL: Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview
The Kansas City Chiefs (5-1, 1-0) are traveling to face one of their biggest rivals, the Oakland Raiders (2-4, 0-2) on Thursday Night Football. At the beginning of the season, this was expected to be one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the year, given that both teams combined for a 24-8 record last season and each earned a playoff berth. But, with Raiders' quarterback Derek Carr injured, the shine has come off a bit in this game. However, there are still a number of storylines to watch out for and a chance for a great game.
Alex Smith, the Chiefs' signal caller, has thrown for 1,637 yards and 12 touchdowns, on 72.9 percent passing. And somehow his stellar play hasn't been the best aspect of Kansas City's 5-1 start. Kareem Hunt, their running back from the University of Toledo, has taken the league by storm, leading the NFL in rushing yards through six games. Hunt has 630 yards on 106 carries and four touchdowns to his name. Coming into the season, Hunt was nearly unheard of, but the running back on the other team was stealing the spotlight.
Marshawn Lynch has looked pretty good in his first six games back, following retirement from the Seattle Seahawks, and he's gone for 257 yards and a pair of scores on just 70 touches. Carr will be able to start against the Chiefs but it still remains to be seen how long he'll be able to play and how effective he'll be when doing so. Even though it's Week 7, the Raiders are getting close to that must win area, because falling to 2-5 and third in the division, could potentially push them too far back to overcome and reach the postseason.
This was supposed to be a special year for the Raiders, as they came into the year as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, along with the likes of the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys. But instead, the Chiefs have ascended to the top of that list, after starting the season 5-0 and not losing until last week, against the Steelers. Other plays to watch in this game are a couple of wideouts, in Tyreek Hill (30 catches and 390 yards) and Michael Crabtree (25 catches and 304 yards).
It's not only a rivalry game, but it's also between a couple of teams that want to right the ship, and added pressure that it's on Thursday Night Football, this game has a ton of potential to go down to the wire. The Chiefs are favored by 3.0 points and are given a 57.4 percent chance to win according to ESPN, but expect the Raiders to come out firing from the opening kick-off. It should be a fun one between two of the most talented teams in the league.
Charles Post:
Kansas City Chiefs (23) - Oakland Raiders (20).
Player of the Game: Tyreek Hill (WR).
Caleb Henderson:
Kansas City Chiefs (27) - Oakland Raiders (20).
Player of the Game: Kareem Hunt (RB).
Photo Credit: Kansas City Chiefs & Oakland Raiders.
