Sean Smith. They’ve only allowed an average of 196 yards per game to opposing passing attacks, good enough for top 6 over the last three games.
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New coach Jack Del Rio has a career record of 72-75, but he has brought the Raiders back to respectability. “We weren’t as efficient with running the ball as we would like to be”. His accuracy and poise have improved, and he does a nice job getting the ball out quickly – a reason the Raiders have only surrendered a league-low 14 sacks. “I know the history but this is a new year, a new game and both new groups”, Murray said Thursday.
The Odds: The Chiefs are 3 point favorites against the Raiders. He rushed for 112 yards on only four carries, including a 90-yard touchdown run, before leaving because of a concussion.
On Sunday, the Raiders will line up once again against the Chiefs in what’s said to be another stormy day. “You try to make good decisions, play fast, throw the ball accurately and get it to your playmakers, that’s what you’re thinking about really”.
If the Chiefs defense plays the way it did against the Bills, the Raiders could have a huge game offensively. “We didn’t run it as well as we’d like”. It’s business, so I have to go down there and take care of business. Conversely, the Raiders have been held to 473 yards on the ground in the six losses and have not had more than 22 rushing attempts in four of them.
Which was a weird comment because just a month ago, Norton said Hayden was becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and no one had ever questioned Hayden’s work ethic since he was a first-round pick in 2013. “It’s only little things here and there that we can fix”. Charles Woodson dislocated his shoulder in the opener and remains on the injury report for Week 13, but he hasn’t missed a game and remains one of the NFL’s best defensive backs. “It’s a grind, and it’s not going to be pretty sometimes. (It’s) something I’m trying to get better at each week”. The Raiders have solid receivers but Kansas City’s coverage crew has elevated its play of late.
But one thing appears certain: The Raiders, after so many bad seasons and more than a decade without a playoff appearance, now have a core of young, elite talent on the roster as a foundation. The team continues to remain off balanced while Latavius Murray struggles as the workhorse running back. The Raiders have a 27-26-1 all-time record at home against the Chiefs. If he can’t play, the great Chiefs pass rush will become nothing more than mediocre. Center Rodney Hudson has a sprained ankle, and Tony Bergstrom, who’s started in Hudson’s place twice this season, is practicing with the first-team offense. Same goes for running back/special teams player Taiwan Jones, who was also doubtful. He is now listed as questionable and will most likely be a game time decision.
Peters was not made available to Bay Area media this week, with the Chiefs citing a team policy against rookies participating in road city conference calls. Each has a 100-yard game (and both have been within 5 yards of a second) during the winning streak while combining to score seven rushing touchdowns. No gain was longer than 11 yards.
Chiefs LT Eric Fisher vs. Raiders LB Khalil Mack: Fisher returned to practice after being hampered by a neck injury just in time to draw Mack, the NFL’s top-rated outside linebacker according to Pro Football Focus.
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When Peters was a youth, he watched his future high school – McClymonds – play at the Coliseum in the Oakland City Championship. In addition to those to, the Chiefs will get Charcandrick West back who was playing well as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
