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Raiders-Chiefs: A Rivalry Renewed On Sunday

On a storming November night in 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs lined up against the Oakland Raiders looking for its first win of the season.

As the rain came pouring down, the clock hit zero and the Raiders win column went from zero to one.

On Sunday, the Raiders will line up once again against the Chiefs in what's said to be another stormy day. The circumstances, however, could not be any more different from last season.

Oakland currently sits at a record at 5-6, just one game back of Kansas City.

The Chiefs are holding on to one of the two AFC Wild Card spots.

If you happen to be new to Raider football, or you just haven't been paying attention to the team in 13 years, the Silver and Black haven't been close to the playoffs since Rich Gannon led the team to the Super Bowl in 2002.

While last year's game in Oakland was a classic to put in the rivalry books, there's no doubt that the clash this year will be far more significant as both teams are fighting for their post-season lives.

It may not be a make-or-break game for either team, but with the NFL season winding down, every game is a crucial one, especially when both teams are fighting for one of two spots.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. They will also end the regular season playing against each other in Kansas City which potentially could be a win-and-you're-in game for one of these teams.

The biggest match-up to watch in the game on Sunday is going to be the Chiefs' corner backs against the Raiders' wide receivers.

Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper have been the highlight of Oakland's offense this year. The development of Cooper and the resurgence of Crabtree have helped lead the team to create an offense which can put up 30 points on any given day.

Chiefs' corner backs Marcus Peters, who will be playing in his hometown for the first time of his career, and Sean Smith will have the tough task of following Crabtree and Cooper around the field.

The Chiefs defense did not play too well while trying to stop Sammy Watkins in the win over the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. Watkins gathered 158 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

If the Chiefs defense plays the way it did against the Bills, the Raiders could have a huge game offensively.

Justin Houston, the Chiefs all-pro linebacker is in doubt for the game with a hyper-extended knee. If he can't play, the great Chiefs pass rush will become nothing more than mediocre.

For the Raiders to jump up into a playoff spot at the end of this week, they will need to not only beat the Chiefs, but also hope the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets both lose.

Expect the crowd in Oakland to be pumped up to a whole other level on Sunday. The crowd always plays a big factor when the Chiefs come to town, but with a Wild Card spot on the line, it will bring a new level of intensity.

For the Raiders to win this ball game, they will need to force the Chiefs into committing turnovers. That's a task the rest of the NFL has had trouble doing.

The Chiefs have a turnover ratio of +12, which is good for second best after the Carolina Panthers at +16.

In the end, the Chiefs ability to hang on to the ball on offense, and force turnovers on defense will keep the Raiders under wraps all game.

Prediction:

Kansas City tops Oakland 20-10 to win its sixth straight game. Knowing that Oakland will have a tough time climbing back into the playoff picture with a loss, the Chiefs are going to come out hot to help dwindle the playoff hopes of the Silver and Black.

 

 

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