Raiders, Chiefs Look To Rebound in Kansas City

NFL News - September 18th, 2009 - Written by John

Oakland at Kansas City -- Something has got to give.

Both the Chiefs and Raiders nearly surprised the football world when they were competitive in games that looked to be blowouts. Both, however, came up empty late in the game and are looking to salvage something to keep their season alive. There would be no better way than to right the ship against a hated rival as the interdivision match-up reignites Sunday.

Kansas City gets the edge at home, giving the Raiders three points, according to BetUS. That may increase slightly if it is announced that quarterback Matt Cassel is available after sitting out the opener with a bum knee. If you buy into the new-look Raiders, after playing so well against San Diego, a moneyline payout on the visitors is +140, while taking the Chiefs straight up will net a -160 return. The game has the third-lowest over/under of the day at 38 1/2.

The Raiders can probably least afford to lose this game, after dropping the opener against San Diego. The Chargers are certainly the most talented team top-to-bottom and falling behind 0-2 in the division may prove too steep a hill to climb. But last Monday showed they do have playmakers in Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Louis Murphy. If quarterback JaMarcus Russell can improve his accuracy, the scoreboard may be busy all day.

Kansas City almost pulled off the shocker of the week last Sunday when they went down to the wire against Baltimore with a back-up quarterback. They were tied 24-all midway through the fourth quarter without Cassel until the defense finally gave way. That Baltimore needed a franchise-record 501 yards to pull away is something the Chiefs will certainly be able to build on heading into this game.

The fact that Kansas City was able to put up that those kinds of points against one of the best defenses in the league (although, yes, most were set up by the defense) gives a credit to offensive-minded head coach Todd Haley.

The Chiefs have dominated their AFC West rival, winning 10 of the last 12 meetings, including a 20-13 squeaker last November.

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