Raiders look to even the score with Kansas City

By Anthony Carroll  |   Friday, November 04, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Oakland Raiders
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It seemed like just yesterday that the Black Hole was hurling around a homemade dummy of Tony Gonzalez atop their heads. But it's seven weeks later and the second meeting seemingly has more importance than the first. The Oakland Raiders' season looks like its finally coming together, as they are riding a two-game winning streak, while the Chiefs are desperately trying to hold their second-place position in the AFC West.

For both teams, this game couldn't have come at a better time. After almost drowning their season with a 0-3 start, the Raiders have kept their season afloat with three wins in their last four games. However, they have lost both of their divisional games-including a September 18th loss to Kansas City. Sunday's game could not only elevate Oakland's record to .500, but it can also position them in a tie with the Chiefs-and, depending on a San Diego collapse against the Jets, could even move them into second in the AFC West. For Kansas City, this meeting with Oakland at home is a chance to make up for their 20-28 disappointment at San Diego. The Chief's divisional record thus far is just 1-2, with their only win at the expense of Oakland. The way the AFC West has played out this far, every divisional meeting is as important as a playoff game.

For the Oakland Raiders to win this game, they need to play smart football. This is such an obvious concept, yet more often than not a team loses a game based more on themselves than by the play of their opponents. In their week two loss to the Chiefs, the Raiders did to themselves what the Titans did last week-they self-destructed. Oakland had 84 yards in penalties, including a holding call by Langston Walker that eradicated a 56-yard touchdown run by LaMont Jordan. Rookie punt returner Chris Carr also muffed a punt early in the game, costing Oakland another seven points.

Offensively, the Raiders have seemingly found an equation for success that they had not yet discovered in their first loss to the Chiefs. For the offense to work properly, LaMont Jordan, not Randy Moss, needs to become the central focus. In their first defeat, their roles were reversed, as Moss had 127 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Jordan ran for just 59 yards on 15 carries. It wouldn't hurt Oakland for Jordan to get the 127 yards and Moss to get the 59 in Sunday's game. Nevertheless, with Moss rested and the enhanced play of wideouts Jerry Porter and Doug Gabriel, the Raiders should have no problem passing on the NFL's 31st ranked defense.

If Oakland wins Sunday, dig up that silver and black face paint and those spiked shoulder pads because November 13th will be a second Halloween for Oakland-and all of Denver will be invited.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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