By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
The final month of the 2018 regular season is here and with it the first chance for KC Chiefs fans to say “It’s Raiders week.” Thanks to being in the same division the Chiefs and Raiders typically play the first of two games early in the season but not in 2018. The two teams will see each other twice this month after waiting until week 13 of the season for the first meeting.
The Chiefs are enjoying a season that not many NFL followers predicted… sitting in first place at 9-2. KC Chiefs Coach Andy Reid returns to work this week knowing he is 16-3 after bye weeks in his career. The Oakland Raiders are not enjoying a season that not many NFL followers predicted, sitting in last place at 2-9 of the AFC West division. Raiders coach Jon Gruden and franchise QB Derek Carr have not been on the same page much of this season and still trying to find a working relationship that will ensure a winning future for the team. Instead of finishing strong this season it’s evident that the Raiders are looking to the future by stockpiling draft picks from trading veteran players. First to go was DE Khalil Hill and then WR Amari Cooper. Trades for draft picks tell a story of a team thinking about its future not present.
Lots of media attention on the Chiefs this week have been pretty positive. The team welcomed back All-Pro CB Eric Berry to practice on Wednesday. Also returning from concussion protocol was C Mitch Morse. Still being slowed by injury is WR Sammy Watkins who ails from a foot injury. Thursday saw the team receive its third different AFC player of the month award, this time it was DE Chris Jones. The first two were LB Dee Ford and QB Pat Mahomes.
The Chiefs last trip to the west coast was a highly viewed affair in prime time on a Monday night, now the Chiefs next trip to the west coast finds them playing a division rival on a Sunday afternoon on regional TV. The Chiefs have won 19 out of their last 20 AFC West games. Expect that strong run the Chiefs are on to continue for another outing as they show the Raiders just how much difference there is between the top and bottom of the division.
The Chiefs will come home with their tenth win on the 2018 season.
That’s What I REID Into It for this week.
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