Raider defense a stiff test for Green

By Clayton Wendler  |   Friday, November 17, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Kansas City Chiefs
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: Chiefs fans will be happy to welcome Trent Green back to the starting lineup this week, but it's been a long time since he took a snap in a live game. How much rust is there to shake off? Facing an underrated Oakland defense is not the most ideal of situations for Green's first game back, but at least he's at home. The bad news for Kansas City is that the team will be without tight end Tony Gonzalez, its top receiving threat.

That means the Chiefs' offensive line, coming off a poor game in Miami, will need to play at its highest level in order for Green to find his wide receivers. The Raiders don't blitz much, and they don't have to with a front four that gets after the quarterback better than most. Derrick Burgess (eight sacks) is proving that his first season as a Raider wasn't a fluke and Warren Sapp (six sacks) is playing his best football in years. Chiefs left guard Chris Bober, who will start again for the injured Brian Waters, will have his hands full with Sapp. Lance Johnstone replaces Tyler Brayton at right defensive end in passing situations for Oakland.
Edge: Even

When the Oakland Raiders pass: Art Shell's starting quarterback this week remains a mystery. Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter split reps with the first team this week in practice. If Walter starts, it will likely be another long day as he makes his first start at Arrowhead. If Brooks starts, his mobility may work to Oakland's advantage in passing situations, especially considering how porous the offensive line has been.

Left tackle Chad Slaughter actually played fairly well subbing for the injured Robert Gallery a week ago against Denver, but a road game in Kansas City will severely test what is arguably the worst offensive line in the league. Raider quarterbacks have been sacked a whopping 47 times already this year. You have to feel sorry for whoever starts at quarterback.


Edge: Chiefs


When the Kansas City Chiefs run: Don't be fooled by the stat page. Oakland's run defense is far better than its 25th ranking indicates. The Raiders give up just 3.9 yards per rush and have allowed only four rushing touchdowns all year. Last week they did an outstanding job against a good Denver running game, employing a 5-3-3 scheme with great success. Oakland stuffed three defensive tackles in the middle of the line, sandwiched with Burgess and Brayton on the ends. Nose tackle Terdell Sands will severely test Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann if the Raiders employ this same look against the Chiefs.

Odds are that Kansas City will pile up the rushing yards, anyway. Oakland's low ranking in run defense is mostly due to an offense that leaves the Raider defense on the field for long periods of time. The Chiefs are sure to give Larry Johnson plenty of carries to protect Green in his first start back from injury. Tight end Jason Dunn, who gets the start in place of Gonzalez, gives the Chiefs a stronger blocker.


Edge: Chiefs


When the Oakland Raiders run: Like Raider quarterbacks, you almost have to feel sorry for running backs LaMont Jordan and Justin Fargas. The offensive line simply doesn't give them much of a chance to field a consistent running game from week to week. Jordan and Fargas are constantly fighting penetration from all angles on running plays, as Oakland's slow and mostly unathletic linemen are not very quick to the point of attack. The inside running plays are usually "three yards and a cloud of dust" at best, and any toss, stretch or sweep play is a real adventure. The Chiefs will be without outside linebacker Derrick Johnson for the second straight game, but it won't matter.


Edge: Chiefs


Special teams: The kickers are almost even in this matchup, but give Oakland the advantage with a far superior return man in Chris Carr. Kansas City's Dante Hall has been a shadow of his former self this year.


Edge: Raiders


Intangibles: The Chiefs have won six straight over the Raiders and are likely to be ultra-focused after dropping a horrible road game to the Dolphins a week ago. Kansas City will get a big emotional boost from Trent Green's return to the starting lineup.
Edge: Chiefs


Prediction: Unlike the last few games in this series, this one won't be close. Oakland's completely inept offense (29 points in four road games) is woefully unprepared for a road trip to Kansas City.

Chiefs 27, Raiders 6
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report