WAYNE ROOT
Millionaires---Kansas City
The Chiefs won the first matchup of the year in October by out scoring the Raiders 26-10. Since then the Raiders are a perfect
6-0. Other than a two-point loss to Tampa Bay just over two weeks ago, the Chiefs have continued their winning ways, taking six of the last seven games. With their 11-1 record to close out the 2015 season, Kansas City is 20-4 in their last 24 regular-season and postseason games. The big story for the Raiders is not their huge comeback last week against the Bills but how did they get so far in the hole in that game in the first place. If the Chiefs win, they would be tied for the division lead with the Raiders but would own the tiebreaker advantage with victories in both meetings. It will be interesting to see if Carr, who injured his right pinky two weeks ago and took only shotgun snaps Sunday, will be able to take snaps under center to help timing and handling in cold weather that's supposed to be about 10 degrees with a possibility of snow. Alex Smith has been known as a game manager for most of his career, but the quarterback should be able to have some success against Oakland. The Chiefs have only been defeated once at home all year, so they’ll look to ride that momentum to victory in front of the Arrowhead faithful on Thursday. Dee Ford and Eric Berry are standouts on the defensive side for Kansas City, which forces the most turnovers in the NFL. Tyreek Hill has emerged as an offensive threat at wide receiver, as well as in the kick return game. Kansas City is looking to get back their No. 1 receiver Jeremy Maclin this week. The Chiefs have six wins in games in which they trailed by at least a touchdown. That’s the most in the NFL this season so with this rivalry, that and the cold weather should be enough to continue the Chiefs momentum. They have one of the best home crowds in the league. Raiders will have a tough time scoring against this defense, at that stadium.
Millionaires---Kansas City
The Chiefs won the first matchup of the year in October by out scoring the Raiders 26-10. Since then the Raiders are a perfect
6-0. Other than a two-point loss to Tampa Bay just over two weeks ago, the Chiefs have continued their winning ways, taking six of the last seven games. With their 11-1 record to close out the 2015 season, Kansas City is 20-4 in their last 24 regular-season and postseason games. The big story for the Raiders is not their huge comeback last week against the Bills but how did they get so far in the hole in that game in the first place. If the Chiefs win, they would be tied for the division lead with the Raiders but would own the tiebreaker advantage with victories in both meetings. It will be interesting to see if Carr, who injured his right pinky two weeks ago and took only shotgun snaps Sunday, will be able to take snaps under center to help timing and handling in cold weather that's supposed to be about 10 degrees with a possibility of snow. Alex Smith has been known as a game manager for most of his career, but the quarterback should be able to have some success against Oakland. The Chiefs have only been defeated once at home all year, so they’ll look to ride that momentum to victory in front of the Arrowhead faithful on Thursday. Dee Ford and Eric Berry are standouts on the defensive side for Kansas City, which forces the most turnovers in the NFL. Tyreek Hill has emerged as an offensive threat at wide receiver, as well as in the kick return game. Kansas City is looking to get back their No. 1 receiver Jeremy Maclin this week. The Chiefs have six wins in games in which they trailed by at least a touchdown. That’s the most in the NFL this season so with this rivalry, that and the cold weather should be enough to continue the Chiefs momentum. They have one of the best home crowds in the league. Raiders will have a tough time scoring against this defense, at that stadium.
