Chiefs vs. Raiders: Game Preview
From Chiefs.com
Friday, Sep 13, 2019 04:21 PM
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[TD]Matt McMullen
Community & Digital Media Producer
Chiefs.com
@KCChiefs_Matt
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It was 53 years ago that the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders met at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for the very first time.
Quarterback Len Dawson tossed three touchdown passes and tailback Mike Garrett rushed for another score in that game as Kansas City defeated the Raiders in a classic matchup of original American Football League franchises.
One of the league’s greatest rivalries developed in the years following that matchup, and more than five decades later, the two teams will meet again in Oakland on Sunday for the final time – and on the infield dirt of the multi-sport facility, no less – before the Raiders relocate to Las Vegas in 2020.
And while the Chiefs are 10-2 against Oakland since 2013 – where they’re averaging 30.5 points-per-game – the rivalry is still very real for Head Coach Andy Reid.
“I think when you step into that stadium and when you’re out there, you understand the rivalry. The guys that have been here, they get it,” Reid said. “It’s probably as close are you’re going to have to a college atmosphere, as far as rivalries go. Likewise, when the Raiders come here, I think they realize that. I think it’s a neat thing. Our fans feel it, their fans feel it and the players feel it.”
The rivalry will of course continue following the move, but the circumstances inevitably create some additional significance to an already important game between divisional opponents, and if the new-look Raiders’ performance last week against Denver was any indication, the finale could be a good one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB8Zsi3ODiE
Oakland added several fresh faces this offseason ahead of their second campaign under Head Coach Jon Gruden, and from wide receiver Tyrell Williams’ big game to an impressive performance by veteran linebacker Vontaze Burfict, those new pieces paid dividends in a season-opening victory over the Broncos on Monday Night Football.
The Raiders raced out to a two-touchdown lead in that contest while holding Denver out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter, demonstrating a certain intensity throughout.
“Those guys are playing with a ton of energy. Those young guys they had last year have elevated their game and the guys they brought in are playing with a ton of confidence,” said Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “It’ll be a great test for us. They have a lot of different coverages and different blitzes, so for us, it’s going to be an early test and we’re going to need a good game plan.”
At the middle of Oakland’s re-shaped defense is Burfict, a long-time member of the Cincinnati Bengals who signed with the Raiders this offseason while re-uniting with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who coached Burfict in Cincinnati.
Injuries have slowed the eight-year veteran’s production in recent years, but he was impressive during his Raiders’ debut last week in both his play on the field and his ability to lead the defense.
“I think most of all, he knows that defense inside and out,” Reid said. “You give him different looks and he can be the adjuster on that who get guys lined up. From a coaching standpoint, he helps out in that way. He’s like a coach on the field that way.”
Burfict lines up behind a talented defensive front that also features a slew of new faces such as defensive ends Clelin Ferrell – the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft – and veteran Benson Mayowa, who combined to tally six pressures and three sacks in last week’s victory.
The secondary has benefitted from some new additions as well, as rookie cornerback Trayvon Mullen – a second-round pick in the draft last spring – and former Los Angeles Rams’ safety Lamarcus Joyner have joined a defensive backfield that already featured a pair of solid young players in safety Karl Joseph and cornerback Gareon Conley.
And while Oakland was dealt some bad news this week with the loss of rookie safety Johnathan Abram for the year due to a shoulder injury sustained in the season-opener, the defense as a whole at least appears to be much improved from the group that allowed an NFL-worst 29.2 points-per-game in 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K3JcCIYyOE
continued in next post—