Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Game Day Open Thread

The Oakland Raiders are at home taking on the Kansas City Chiefs today – this is your forum to discuss the game and all things Raiders.

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The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are getting together today to renew an ancient rivalry. These two teams hate each other. Which of course, makes for some fantastic football games. Of course, throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, it was something of a lopsided battle – over that two decade span, the Raiders posted a woeful 11-30 record against their division foes, which has dropped the Raiders to 48-50-2 all time against Kansas City.

But there are signs of hope. Since 2010, the Raiders have gone 6-4 against the Chiefs, and this squad is clearly building momentum. They’re on to something good in Oakland and fans are hoping they can continue that upward trend against the Chiefs.

It won’t be easy, of course. Division games never are. And Kansas City enters the game riding a five game winning streak that has seen them turn their season completely around, moving from 1-5 all the way up to 6-5 and right in the thick of the playoff hunt.

The Raiders though, at 5-6, aren’t out of the postseason picture either. But they will likely need to run the table form here on out. They are going to need to slow down a Kansas City offense that is averaging a tick over 34 points over their last four games and really seems to be firing on all cylinders.

As crazy as it seems to say, losing Jamaal Charles for the year may have saved Kansas City’s season.

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But the Raiders will catch a break today given that Kansas City’s best defender, Justin Houston, will miss the game with a knee injury. That is going to impact the Chiefs on the defensive side of the ball big time. Also missing for Kansas City today is going to be starting center Mitch Morse, WR DeAnthony Thomas, and S Husain Abdullah.

The key to beating this Chiefs team for the Raiders will be shutting down running backs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware. Forcing Kansas City to become a one-dimensional team and putting more of the offensive burden on Alex Smith can pay big dividends for the Oakland defense. Especially if they can take TE Travis Kelce out of the mix. Outside of Kelce and WR Jeremy Maclin, the Chiefs have no real other alternatives in the passing game.

But it’s going to take an inspired effort from the Raiders. They are going to have to play like the team that had built a 4-3 record with convincing wins over teams like the Chargers and Jets – and less like the team that lost three in a row after that.

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There is a ton on the line for both teams today. The Raiders, with a win, can keep their playoff hopes alive as well as notch an important win against a team ahead of them in the postseason chase as well as a division foe. The Chiefs will be looking to extend their winning streak and tighten their grip on one of the AFC’s two wild card spots by beating the Raiders.

These two forces are going to collide and one is going to have to give. Who will step up and who will crumble under the pressure?

It’s time to step up and speak out, Raider Nation. This is your forum to discuss the game, all of the various plot lines, and all things Raiders. So step on up and speak out. Call your shot and let’s hearhow you think this game is going to turn out. Let’s hear from you!