Sept. 14, 2019

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

It’s “Raiders Week!” Whenever the Chiefs have the Raiders on their schedule that’s all that needs to be said by fans and players alike. The Chiefs/Raiders rivalry is a long standing one that dates back to the start of the AFL. While the popular saying of Raiders Week is fun to say there is much more to talk about with this edition of a heated rivalry.

Both teams enter the Oakland Alameda Coliseum at 1-0 following impressive season opening wins. The Chiefs scored easily in a 40-26 win at Jacksonville. The offense was barely slowed by the absence of WR Tyreek Hill who left the game in the first quarter due to injury. The Chiefs defense knocked the Jaguars starting quarterback out of the game and recorded the team’s first interception which was made by a defensive lineman.

While the Chiefs enjoyed their Sunday afternoon in sunny Florida the Raiders took the field on Monday night against their division rival Denver. The Raiders D recorded three sacks on the evening while Raiders QB Derek Carr was nearly perfect at 22-26 in the win. For those NFL fans staying up late to watch the contest the Raiders didn’t look like a team too bothered by the recent drama off the field by former WR Antonio Brown.

The Chiefs trip out west could end up not only giving the team a perfect 2-0 record but also holding records that would irritate even the mildest fan of their division rivals. With a win on Sunday the Chiefs would hold a 21-19-1 advantage over the Raiders in games played at the venue dubbed the “Black Hole.” Since this is most likely the last year for the Raiders playing in Oakland the Chiefs will enjoy this mark for quite some time. If the Chiefs offense scores over 26 points on Sunday they would hold the record at 20 games for most consecutive games over 26 points which currently division rival Denver holds at 19.

The Chiefs routed Oakland in their last meeting 35-3 on Dec. 30, 2018. I expect a closer outcome this time. Since 2013 the Chiefs are 10-2 against the Raiders and have won three in a row. The Raiders are improved under second year Coach Jon Gruden but not near enough to overtake Kansas City. The Chiefs dominance over the AFC West continues for at least one more game as they score a road win before heading home to play in Kansas City next week. That’s What I REID Into It for this week.

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