For those who don’t believe that professional sports have real rivalries, just take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are rotten to the core this year, and yet they pulled themselves together for a 24-20 win over the Chiefs on Nov. 20, which was Oakland’s first win in what has been a debacle of a season. The Chiefs have not won since and are teetering on the brink of playoff elimination. Kansas City will host Oakland at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday in a must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Three in a Row
The Chiefs loss at Oakland began a three game losing streak that now puts them at 7-6 on the season and in a log jam with four other teams in the AFC that are also 7-6. The San Diego Chargers began the week in the final AFC playoff spot with a record of 8-5. Offense is the big problem for Kansas City as they rank 26th overall in the NFL and 31st for passing yards. The Chiefs have been bitten bad by the injury bug on both sides of the line and of immediate concern is their mindset after a 17-14 loss at Arizona. The Chiefs had what they thought would be a 21-9 lead at Arizona, but instead had a touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Anthony Fasano reversed by a phantom offensive pass interference call. That was followed by Smith throwing an interception on the very next play.
The climatic low point in the game was a absent-minded play by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce who carelessly flipped the ball after a somersault that was ruled a fumble and Arizona recovery, which killed a potential Chiefs game winning drive.
“We didn’t play good enough,” said Chiefs LB Justin Houston.” We shot ourselves in the foot.”
Which Smith will Chiefs Get?
In Kansas City’s seven wins Smith had a 72 percent completion rate with a 9-0 TD-INT ratio. In Kansas City’s six losses Smith has a 60 percent completion rate with a 7-6 TD-INT ratio. Everyone suffers bad calls in football, but the best teams with the best leadership rally to overcome them. Smith and the Chiefs caved with a lack of resiliency that is troubling in regards to their long term playoff prospects.
Spoiler Alert
After losing their first 10 games the Raiders have won two out of their last three and are coming off a stunning 24-13 home win over the San Francisco 49ers in which they were dominant. As was the case in their aforementioned win over the Chiefs the Raiders served to badly damage what was left of the 49ers playoff prospects.
Throw out the Records
When it comes to the Chiefs and Raiders the record books and stats are not gospel as evidenced by their first meeting this season. This rivalry dates back to 1960 and the founding of the American Football League. The teams were put in the AFL West Division that year and have remained division rivals ever since. Oakland and Kansas City took off as a rivalry in the late 1960’s with high stakes games that are remembered to this day for their violence but also high quality and drama. A bench clearing brawl that took place in 1970 remains a highlight moment of this ancient rivalry.
Despite the fact that the Raiders have been putrid and the Chiefs have been contenders more often than not , Oakland has won nine out of the last 14 meetings. Even more impressive is that the Raiders have won six out of their last seven visits to Arrowhead Stadium against the Chiefs.
A New Reid on Chiefs
It has been a disappointing setback season for the Chiefs after their playoff run of last year in Andy Reid’s first season as head coach. The loss of stud defensive back Eric Berry has hurt the defense. But the lack of polish, discipline and finish is what has most damaged the Chiefs playoff chances. And what has given fans a new Reid on the Chiefs.
