Raiders: Time to Turn the Tables

Dec 6, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive back Phillip Adams (28) celebrates a defensive stop during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 26-13. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bless all of the children and their families, especially those who loss their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

The Raiders and Chiefs, in what looks on the outside as a non-watch game, could be one of the better, intriguing match-ups of the day. Both organizations have fallen flat on their face. Teams that were optimistic at the beginning of the season have dwindled to the bottom of the abyss. Kansas City has won 11 out of 16 games in Oakland dating back to 1994.

Injuries to key performers from both sides reflect each team’s woes. Quarterback controversy in KC has been the driving force to allow Brady Quinn a starting position over Matt Castle. Quinn has sparked the Chiefs but not ignited them. His 104-yard average is not impressive to go along with his two touchdown strikes.

What KC does have in is weaken arsenal is a running game that has reemerged in the past three weeks. Jamaal Charles averages 93 yard per game. He has 1220 yards rushing on the year. Making him the fifth leading rusher this season in the NFL. With all his yards, Charles is not hitting the paydirt  section of the field yielding only four TD’s on the year. He has caught fire in the last three games rushing for over 100 yards in the past three games.

Charles is sure to get an abundance of carries against the Raiders defense, which hasn’t stopped, slowed down or contained anyone consistently on the season. Richard Seymour and Rolando McClain will return to the playing field this Sunday. Seymour is recovering from a hamstring tear. While McClain is returning from a time out from his verbal argument with Allen at practice Nov. 28.

The Oakland Raiders are 32nd in team defense in the NFL, giving up 390 yards per game: 131 on the ground with 259 in the air. 17 times, opponents have crossed the end zone for a score. A group that had shown promise in the beginning of the season is trying to rally in the last few game to gain momentum for next season.

This game will be won by who can convert on third down and who can stop the other team inside the red zone. Consistency and control will be the main factor, and a little thing called ball control.