Raiders at Chiefs: Preview, Predictions, Odds

Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Oakland Raiders visit the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that could determine the winner of the AFC West and playoff seeding in the conference. The Raiders are currently in first place in the AFC West with a 10-2 record. They are the No. 1 seed in the conference. The Chiefs are in second place in the AFC West with a 9-3 record and are currently the fifth seed in the conference.

The Chiefs beat the Raiders, 26-10, on Oct. 16. Kansas City’s defense kept Derek Carr and company in check and they’ll have to do more of the same in this game. The Raiders are unbeaten on the road this season and with three of their remaining four games on the road, Oakland has to feel confident that they can maintain their high level of play and win all of them.

All of this boils down to being one of the best Thursday Night Football games of the season. Between a divisional rivalry, playoff implications, and two high-quality teams, this is must-watch football.

Here our three keys for each team.

Raiders Keys to Victory

1. Limit Their Pass Rush: Raiders offensive tackles Donald Penn and Austin Howard need to hold their own against Chiefs outside linebackers, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. If they don’t, the Raiders will once again struggle offensively against a Chiefs defense that held them to their lowest point total of the season in the first meeting.

2. Win One on One Match-Ups in the Passing Game: The Raiders have made a living offensively on hitting the big play this season. When Derek Carr gets a one-on-one matchup, he needs to take advantage of it. The Chiefs will match-up Marcus Peters on Amari Cooper. That means Michael Crabtree, Seth Roberts and tight end Clive Warford will have favorable one-on-one match-ups.

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3. Contain Spencer Ware: Ware rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting between these two teams. He was the Chiefs best offensive player in that game. The Raiders need to do a better job against Ware in this game. They need to reset the line of scrimmage and not allow him to push the pile and break tackles. If the Raiders can win the line of scrimmage and get the Chiefs into long down situations, they can win this game.

Chiefs Keys to Victory

1. Efficient in the Passing Game: The Raiders will give the Chiefs a lot of eight man fronts in an effort to slow down Spencer Ware. That means Andy Reid has to throw the ball early. Alex Smith must be efficient in the passing game and take care of the football. The Chiefs have to stay ahead of the chains and stay out of long down situations.

2. Eric Fisher Must Hold Up Against Khalil Mack: Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher has to hold his own against Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack. If the Chiefs have to take a tight end or running back out of the pattern to help Fisher, they will struggle in the passing game and not maximize their potential match-ups against a vulnerable Raiders secondary.

3. Get off to a Fast Start: KC got off to a fast start in the first match-up and dominated the game winning 26-10. They must get off to a similar start in this game. Kansas City must put pressure on Derek Carr and company by forcing them to play from behind.

Odds

Point Spread: Kansas City -3.5
Moneyline: Kansas City -190, Oakland +170
Over/Under: 46

Next: Oakland Raiders Late-Season 7-Round Mock Draft

Prediction

Calling this a big game would be a major understatement. It is a huge game both within the AFC West and the conference. If the Raiders are going to remain atop the division and the AFC, they must find a way to win this game. It won’t be easy against a Kansas City team that has won two in a row and plays well at home.

Arrowhead Stadium has intimidated many Raider teams in the past, but I get the sense there is something different about this one. It’s as if they don’t know any better. That is why I like the Raiders in this game. I believe in them and I think they are for real. I think they’ll go into Arrowhead and win a game against their ancient rivals.

Pick: Oakland Raiders: 28, Kansas City Chiefs: 24

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