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December 20, 2006
Saturday Night Special
Raiders look to spoil Chiefs’ playoff dreams
With two weeks to go in the regular season, things are not looking good for the Kansas City Chiefs. Three weeks ago they were 7-4, but three straight losses have left them nearly down and out. Fortunately they run into their division rivals from Oakland at the right time. By all accounts the Raiders make the Chiefs look like an offensive juggernaut. Kansas City needs to win out and get some help to secure a playoff spot in the 2006 playoffs.
To put it bluntly, the Raiders have been horrible on offense this season. Oakland has scored 20 or more points in a game only twice this year. Since their win over Pittsburgh back in late October, they have not scored more than two touchdowns in a single game.
The Chiefs have dominated this series in recent memory. Kansas City has won the last seven meetings, covering four of those spreads. However, the Chiefs have struggled this year when playing away from Arrowhead Stadium. They are 2-5 on the road, and just 6-8 ATS overall.
If Kansas City is going to get back on track and make things interesting for the postseason, they have to work their horse in running back Larry Johnson. The Chiefs’ top back is the second-leading rusher in the NFL with 1,516 yards, and the team’s top offensive weapon. That hasn’t stopped Johnson from speaking his mind though, recently criticizing the lack of creativity in offensive play-calling. But most notably their downfall can be pinpointed to the poor play of quarterback Trent Green. The Chiefs are only 2-3 since he returned from his head injury and Green has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns during this span. While he was out, backup Damon Huard was excellent in the starting role throwing for 11 touchdowns and just one interception.
Oakland, too, has had its fair share of quarterback issues. Both Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter have had time as the number one guy but neither has shown they want the job, based on their individual play. The two have combined for 11 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions this season.
The one positive for the Raiders in 2006 has been their defense. They rank fourth overall in the NFL and first in pass defense based on yards allowed.
Oddsmakers at leading online sportsbooks BetJamaica have Kansas City listed as 7-point road favorites with a total of 36. Kickoff is 8:00 pm ET with the NFL Network handling the coverage.
25044 - Copyright 2006, BetJamaica.com, The Player's Paradise
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