Raiders-Chiefs Preview
J J Pesavento |Sep 09,2008
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 Raiders-Chiefs Preview
RAIDERS OFFENSE vs CHIEFS DEFENSE
Surprise, surprise, the Raiders got smoked by the Broncos in Week One on national television. Despite throwing a pair of TD passes, quarterback JaMarcus Russell could not bring his team back from the dead after the Broncos jumped out to a 27-0 lead. If there was any positive in the blowout loss to Denver, the Raiders were able to run the ball. But amassing 150 yards rushing doesn't count for much when the opposing team is up by more than three touchdowns. The Raiders have enough talent at running back with Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden. But the Raiders find ways to shoot themselves in the foot to kill dirves and the list of errors seems endless. A mistake that leads to a turnover, a sack, a penalty, a dropped pass could be the short list. Against the Chiefs, the Raiders may not have to play from behind unless they start checking off items on their list of errors. The Oakland offensive line has been inconsistent for some time. They will need to be consistent against the Chiefs and blow open holes and protect their QB. The Raiders up front will have to move Turk McBride, Glenn Dorsey, Tamba Hali and Tank Tyler off the line of scrimmage. And they will have to get to the next level and neutralize linebackers Donnie Edwards, Derrick Johnson and Pat Thomas. The Chiefs secondary is also very active against the run. Patrick Surtain, Brandon Flowers, Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard led the the team in tackles in the loss to the Pats. So Fargas and McFadden will be drawing a great deal of attention from the Chiefs defense. Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney both averaged over five yars per carry on the Chiefs last week. We don't expect Fargas and McFadden to have as much success.
When the Raiders look to air it out, Russell can at least take comfort in the fact that Jared Allen is no longer a Chief. And while Randy Moss had a big day on the Chiefs, it is doubtful any of the Oakland receivers will do the same. Especially since fulback Justin Griffin was their leading receiver against the Broncos and high priced pickup Javon Walker wasn't even activated for the game. That left Johnnie Lee Higgins, Ashley Lelie and Ronald Curry as the top three receivers with Zach Miller at tight end. Curry caught only two passes but at least one was for a touchdown. Lelie caught three passes for 37 yards and the other touchdown.The Chiefs will not be afraid to bring heat on Russell and the Oakland offensive line cannot break down when the Chiefs begin blitzing. And the backs will have to be ready to pick up the blitzes. One key matchup will be Tamba Hali vs Kwame Harris. But even if the line can protect Russell, the receivers have to make the plays.
CHIEFS OFFENSE vs. RAIDERS DEFENSE
Needless to say, the Chiefs offense begins with the running game and Larry Johnson. Johnson looks to be fully healed after missing much of the 2007 season due to injury. Johnson had a rough time cracking the Pats defense, but still had 74 yards rushing. Rookie Jamal Charles also contributed and showed some flashes of real potential at times. The Chiefs offensive line may not be what it once was, but neither is the Oakland defensive line. In fact, not much about the Raiders defense impressed us in Week One. The Chiefs would love to get Johnson rolling and not have to rely on the passing game considering the fact that quarterback Brodie Croyle is out and Damon Huard will be running the offense.The Raiders defensive line no longer has Warren Sapp at tackle, but it was weak against the run with him there to begin with. The strength against the run really comes from the linebacking corps. in particular KIrk Morrison and Thomas Howard. But even that may be in question considering the fact that three defensive backs led the team in tackles against Denver.
The Chiefs don't have a quarterback that strikes fear in the hearts of defensive players, but they do have some good targets. Tight end Tony Gonzalez is still one of the best to ever play the position. And wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is one of the young talents in the game. Devard Darling had a big reception on the Pats for 68 yards but that was his only reception of the game. The Raiders main source of pressure on the passer will likely be defensive end Derrick Burgess, but Jay Richardson has showed promise on the opposite side. The Raiders have an exceptional secondary...on paper. But they looked far less than exceptional against the Broncos. Nnamdi Asomugha may be one of the more underrated corners in the NFL, but neither he nor DeAngelo Hall could find a way to shut down the Denver receivers. And the most disturbing part of the disection of the Oakland secondary was the fact that the Broncos were withou their best receiver, Brandon Marshall. Rookie Eddie Royal did most of the damage. Gibril Wilson and Michael Huff are the safeties but if the secondary as a whole plays the same way it did against Denver, the Chiefs have little to worry about.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Shane Lechler gives the Raiders the edge in punting and Johnnie Lee Higgins always seems one step away from breaking a long one but B. J. Sams is no slouch either
SUMMARY
A great old rivalry between two of the old dogs on the block. Right now, neither team has a real edge at quarterback unless it is based solely on experience, then the Chiefs have the edge. They also have the edge at running back and receiver. Not that the Raiders don't have talent at running back, but nothing as proven as a Larry Johnson. And judging from their performances in Week One, the edge on defense goes to the Chiefs, who didn't get blown out by the Patriots on the road, unlike the Raiders, who got waxed at home.
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