A week after the game that almost was vs. the Pats the Chiefs will be kicking off their home opener against the hated Raiders and both teams will be looking to even their record at 1-1. This game should be a nail biter. While the Raiders may have a slight advantage talent wise only once in the last ten contest between these two teams has the out come of the game been decided by more than a possession. The main benefactor of these close battles is the Chiefs who have won 9 out of the last 10 vs. the silver and black.

Oakland comes into this game after getting embarrassed on Monday night against the Broncos 41-14. They could not stop the Broncos running attack or passing attack. Big time free agent acquisitions DeAngalo Hall and Gabril Wilson got shredded like Kraft cheese and the Raiders as whole looked as disoriented as ever. Coach Lane Kiffen knows coaching in Oakland is a year to year gig especially with a owner like Al Davis. If Kiffin wants to keep his job he will need to get his club playing some inspired football.

Keys to the Game

1. Chiefs front seven vs. Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas

One of the few bright spots for the Raiders on Monday night was the running attack of Fargas and McFadden. Both players looked explosive and both averaged over five yards a carry. The Chiefs for the most part contained the running attack of Lawrence Maroney and Sammy Morris last week but this is a much faster duo. If the Chiefs can stop the rushing attack of the Raiders they can force second year quarterback Jamarcus Russell into some third and long situations. With Jamarcus at the helm the Raiders went 2 for 12 on third down.

2. Chan Gailey vs. Rob Ryan

Both of these teams will make their fare share of mistakes, the Chiefs due to their lack of experience and the Raiders due to the fact that they are the Raiders. This game may be decided by both teams weaker side of the ball. The Chiefs offense looked bland until Huard came in and replaced Croyle and the Raiders defense did not look ready to stop anybody on Monday. Chan Gailey is opportunistic cordinator and will try to expose the same weaknesses the Broncos exposed on Monday night. Rob Ryan will have to try to get the most that he can out of his talented but underachieving defense, Al Davis did not cash in his saving bonds and bring Ryan back to give up 41 points to a division rival.

3. Will Franklin vs. Stanford Routt.

This week the “Helicopter” will land in K.C. and make his season debut . This is not just another rookie on the Chiefs squad trying to impress, Franklin was a big part of the offense in the preseason and factors into their plans in a big way as the slot receiver. New England exploited the Chiefs lack of depth at the receiver position last week by doubling Tony G and D-Bowe, basically daring the Chiefs to throw the ball to any other receiver if the Raiders follow that blue print they may be in for trouble. Franklin has big time size and speed to burn and comes from a system in at Mizzou where he played with his fair share of NFL talent.

Injury Report

LB: Napoleon Harris- Knee, out

QB Brodie Croyle- Shoulder, out

Raiders Report

T: Kwame Harris- Knee, doubtful

S: Tyron Branch- Shoulder, questionable

DE: Derrick Burgess- Shoulder, questionable

CB: DeAnglo Hall- Elbow, questionable

S: Gabril Wilson- Elbow, questionable

Weather Conditions

Conditions at kickoff should be soggy. A weekend long rainstorm should be tapering off by kickoff leaving Kansas City with a gray over cast sky keeping it cool at 65 degrees with a north, north westerly breeze of 22 mph.

Final Score:
Chiefs 23 Raiders 14

There is to much riding on this game for the Chiefs to lose, if the Chiefs start out 0-2 the sellout streak is over and the T.V. blackouts will be coming. That is Carl Peterson’s last bit of legacy here in K.C. and if the Chiefs are not selling out their games there is really nothing left for Carl to hang his hat on. Besides the pressure the Chiefs brain trust is under to win this game the Raiders are just to much of a dysfunctional unit to try in compete at one of the noisiest venues in the NFL. This game was over before it started but that is usually how it goes when your head coach can’t pick his own players or coaches and is undermined by his boss, the owner every single day.