Gametime: Sunday, September 15, 2019, at 3:05 p.m. CT
Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA
Network Provider: CBS
Radio (Kansas City residence): Chiefs Fox Football Radio Network KCFX (101.1 FM)
In Week 2, the Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) travel to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for the final time to face their arch-rival, the Oakland Raiders (1-0).
The 2019 season marks the beginning of the end for the Raiders, who are playing their final season in the Bay Area. The franchise will start a new chapter in 2020 when the team relocates to Las Vegas.
Sunday marks the 121st edition to one of the NFL’s most heated and longest going rivalries in pro football.
The two teams have been at each other’s throats since the dawn of the American Football League in 1960 when the Chiefs, known as the Dallas Texans at the time, beat the Raiders soundly 34-16 in the first-ever meeting.
Kansas City currently leads the all-time series over Oakland 65-53-2.
Andy Reid is 10-2 against the Raiders in his tenure as Kansas City Head Coach, both of his losses took place in Oakland, however.
The Raiders played surprisingly well in their Week 1 matchup, defeating the Denver Broncos 24-16 on Monday Night Football.
Rookie running back Josh Jacobs had a big night on the ground, scoring two rushing touchdowns on 23 carries for 85 yards and quarterback Derek Carr was almost perfect, completing 22 of 26 passes for 259 yards and threw a touchdown pass to receiver Tyrell Williams.
Oakland brought the heat defensively, making Denver quarterback Joe Flacco very uncomfortable in the pocket and caused him to make erratic throws throughout the game.
Flacco was sacked three times; once by rookie defensive end Clelin Ferrell and twice by defensive end Benson Mayowa, who was also able to strip the ball out of Flacco’s hands and get it back for Oakland.
Kansas City left Jacksonville a little banged up following their convincing 40-26 win over the Jags last week.
The Chiefs will be without star receiver Tyreek Hill, who’s out with a sternoclavicular joint injury.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also went down, spraining his left ankle last week, causing him to leave the game briefly in order to get it taped up. Mahomes was able to finish the game, but his ankle was noticeably causing him some discomfort.
Fortunately, Mahomes has been a full participant in practice this week and should be ready to go on Sunday.
Friday’s injury report also listed Jeff Allen (thumb), Frank Clark (neck), Jordan Lucas (back), Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder) and Dion Yelder (ankle) as full participants.
On a different note, left tackle Eric Fisher left practice early after injuring his groin in Friday’s practice and is currently listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Head Coach Andy Reid didn’t elaborate too much about the extent of the injury, “I’m just going to see how it checks out,” Reid said. “We took him out when he hurt it.”
Jacksonville’s defense was able to register three QB hits on Mahomes last week, so having a healthy o-line is pivotal in order to prevent Oakland from doing the same sort of thing. If Fisher, isn’t able to go on Sunday, the Chiefs have a few options they could go with to take his place. Cam Irving is the most likely due to his experience playing almost anywhere along the o-line.
The Chiefs also have Jeff Allen, Martinas Rankin, and Andrew Wylie, who could also step in at left tackle.
The last time Kansas City played in Oakland, the 9-2 Chiefs outdueled the 2-9 Raiders in a 40-33 shootout. Oakland was on the comeback trail late in the second half, down 33-16 in the fourth quarter. The Raiders were able to score two consecutive touchdowns to bring the deficit down to only three points late in the fourth.
Fortunately, Patrick Mahomes and the offense were able to respond quickly and drive back down the field. At the Oakland 29-yard line, Mahomes throws a 25-yard dart to tight end Travis Kelce to set KC up on the Oakland 4-yard line. Two plays later, Mahomes throws a 2-yard strike to receiver Chris Conley in the end zone on 3rd and goal with a 1:55 left in the game. The score was enough to put the game out of reach and Kansas City improved to 10-2 on the 2018 season.
Prediction
The Chiefs have a chance to forever hold the advantage over the Raiders with a win on Sunday. Kansas City currently wins the all-time series in Oakland 20-19-1. Personally, I thought the Raiders played soundly on Monday Night against the Broncos and I expect Jon Gruden and his team to build off that energy. Oakland came close to getting upset the last time they played the Chiefs at home and I expect them to put forth the same kind of effort. In the end, expect Oakland to score points but the Chiefs have too much firepower for Oakland to keep up with.
Chiefs: 42 Oakland: 31
