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The Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs have both had a forgettable year so far. In fact, it may be remembered for how forgettable it has been.Both teams have struggled to put together a single solid defensive or offensive series. Larry Johnson has been a headache for the Chiefs while Jamarcus Russell still has not gotten rid of the stamp on his forehead that reads "Bust".
However, today, none of that matters.
Today is a rivalry game where the records go out the windows and names no longer matter. Players who have spent the whole season in the locker rooms come out to make game breaking plays. Coaches who have struggled to call one right play all season suddenly have the whole playbook opened up to them.
So when the Chiefs walk into the black hole today, you can be sure the Raiders will be waiting for a game that goes beyond any mark in the win or loss column.
For the Chiefs, the running game has been a struggle all season. Today, the questions only continue. Kolby Smith and Jamaal Charles are two young backs who have had their eye on the starting job all season. Today against the Raiders, they will both get a shot at it to prove who is most worthy of that spot on the Chiefs roster.
The Chiefs are hoping that with the added rushing attack, this can take some pressure off of million-dollar investment, Matt Cassel. With some pressure off, Cassel could possibly finally find that rhythm he has been looking for all season with former star receiver Dwyane Bowe and new comer Chris Chambers.
Raiders fans frustration has only grown with Jamarcus Russell. The QB has been consistently poor. Making bad decisions and even worse throws, the majority of the Raiders problems on offense begin and end with Russell.
The other side of the coin reveals the weak receiving core. Louis Murphy and Darius Heyward-Bey are far from NFL-worthy receivers so far, but today the Raiders get a boost. Chaz Schilins returns to the Raiders lineup from a foot injury for the first time this season.
Schilins is the kind of receiver the Raiders want to take over the #1 spot. If that were to happen, that would bump Murphy into the 2 spot and Heyward-Bey into the better-suited slot position.
If the stars line up, this one injury recovery could be a catalyst for a new offensive look in Oakland.
