Chiefs Raiders 2010 - The Rivalry Continues

Chiefs Raiders 2010 - The Rivalry Continues
by Kansas City News

As the AFC West standings reveal, the only two teams left standing in this division are The Kansas City Chiefs and The Los Angeles Raiders.  The Chiefs are a stellar 5 and 2 and the lowly Raiders are only 4 and 4 due to a recent streak of luck that has befallen them.  So basically, even if the Chiefs lose this game they are still in first place, uncontested.  However if the Chiefs can pound the Raiders back into reality, then they will be a lock for a playoff birth in the AFC.

The Chiefs / Raiders rivalry goes way back to the 60's when the Chiefs, led by Hall of Fame coach Hank Stramm, and the Raiders led by the ever-animated John Madden, were constantly battling it out for the top spot and helped to put the NFL on the map.  The Chiefs, of course went on to win Super Bowl IV in 1970, thus showing their overall superiority.

Las Vegas has the Line pick for The Kansas City Chiefs to win over the Raiders with a spread of 2.5 and a total of 44 points.  I don't think that this game will see 44 points as the 2010 season has shown us that when two high scoring teams meet, the score goes low.  If you're out in Vegas, or betting online, definitely take the under on this game.  This will be a defensive battle, although I do predict most of the scoring to occur early in the game.  Amazingly enough, history shows that if the Raiders score first, they are more likely to lose.  Interesting fact.

The Kansas City Chiefs have the number 1 rushing game in the NFL, and they will relentlessly run against an unpredictable Raiders rushing defense.  Plan on seeing more of Tony Moeaki in this game, as well as sleeper receiver Terrance Copper.  On the Raider's side of the ball they have a BIG problem with super star shut-down corner Nnamdi Asomugha out for the game, and adding to their troubles will be the absense of one Zach Miller, who has been a big part of their recent success.

Ryan Lilja, our prized O-Lineman will be returning to duty this week which should really get that running game moving "early and often" as my old partner Mr. Wonderful would say.  I'm almost relieved that this game isn't being played in Kansas City, at least we won't have to be reminded of how much trash and ghetto folk live here when they all show up at Arrowhead (how do they afford tickets?) in their Raiders Jerseys, poor nasty trash - all of them.  I have good friends who usually serve Mexican cuisine at their tailgate party when the Raiders are in town, nice!

Chiefs Trounce 49ers, Move to 3-0!

Chiefs fans rejoice! It hasn't felt like this for so long. Wins number one and two for the Chiefs left us wondering if the Chiefs are contenders or pretenders, but Sunday's dismantling of an improved 49er team leaves no doubt, this team is for real. The Final was 31-10, but the game wasn't even that close. San Francisco scored their lone touchdown as time expired on a field full of second defensive players - and got Wide Receiver Josh Morgan hurt in the process. Creative play calling by Todd Haley and Charlie Weis even made Matt Cassel look like an NFL quarterback! Of course when you run the ball for over 200 yards as the Chiefs did Sunday, it takes some pressure off the passing game. Holding your opponent to 40 yards rushing doesn't hurt either.

Cassel seems more comfortable with his playmakers. Tight End Tony Moeoki looked like he can fill the massive cleats of the departed Tony Gonzalez. He made a spectacular one handed catch in the back of the endzone in the 3rd quarter that really put the game out of reach. Throw in great offensive line play and a running attack that the 49ers defense had no answer for, and the rout was on. Todd Haley kept the niners off balance all day with some trickeration. A beautifully executed onsides kick was nullified by an offsides, but what a great call. The 49ers were stunned. When the punt team ran off and the offense ran back in on a pivotal 4th down, I think a couple of 49ers actually wet themselves. It was a coaching gem.

Speaking of coaching, how about the job Romeo Crennel is doing with our defense. Five sacks, an interception, 40 yards rushing, and San Francisco Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Raye was fired this morning. (Seriously, how does that guy keep getting hired in the NFL). I only hope another team doesn't want to try Crennel as their head coach next year.

The Chiefs are off next week before tough, tough road games in Indianapolis and Houston. If they can win one of these games, I think they are playoff bound. Waiting two weeks to watch this team play again is tough. I can't wait, and I'm sure the players feel the same way.

The new face of the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are yet to take a snap at training camp, but you can already tell that the team has a new attitude. It starts at the top with Clark Hunt and goes all the way down to the water boy. The new attitude: Professionalism. Something that has long been missing at 1 Arrowhead Drive. Something Clark Hunt noticed and hired Scott Pioli to change.

After the first day in River Falls, WI you can tell that the Chiefs are taking care of business instead of looking for a ringleader to run the circus. This fact is evident in many facets of the team. The fact that the first day of camp was a rigorous physical test to see who has stayed in shape and who slacked off is a sign. As a a season ticket holder, I love this. I can't count how many times the Chiefs got their jocks handed to them last season because they were gassed.

Probably more to the point and a sign of things to come is all of the controversy surrounding first round draft pick, Tyson Jackson and the fact that he has not been signed. Wait a minute. Did I say controversy? I meant the total lack of controversy. Unlike in past years, when the Chiefs would launch an all out media blitz slandering the player, his agent, his posse, his baby's Momma, and anyone else who could be targeted, we have not heard a peep.

Yes, I believe Scott Pioli is "as promised." He is here to "run the business" and "running the business" is to be handled by those paid to "run the business." There have been no leaks to the media from unnamed sources. There have been no personal attacks creating ill will among players, agents, and the Chiefs staff. There have been no worries about signing Tyson Jackson. Just a hopeful and optimistic outlook as die hard Chiefs fans begin to become anxious for the season to start.

To this point, I am not overly excited about the "All-should be retired" off season acquisitions in Bobby Engram (14 yrs), Zach Thomas (14 yrs), and Mike Vrabel (13 yrs). I am cautiously optimistic about paying an obscene amount of money to a back up quarterback that played in the Bill Belichick system. I have some real questions in the coaching staff. However, I get it. Pioli is bringing in professionals. Guys that can help Pioli get his word across by using actions and experience. Not the kind of guys that continually are accused of drinking too much and abusing women every time you turn around.

What I may like best about it is that the revolving door of no talent sports hacks that hold our AM airwaves hostage every day have nothing to talk about. You know, the jokers that made you pay for Sirius or XM radio so you could get some logical and intelligent information without arguing with every other caller about who the liar is? I digress. There are no more leaks. No more sources. No more to talk about. That is, unless you actually want to talk about the facts as opposed to speculation. All they have to bitch about is having nothing to talk about. I love it.

It is early, but thus far, I am happy to see that the Chiefs are doing what they said they were going to do. They are going to run the business and try to build the best team they can. We are not going to the Super Bowl this year and probably not the year after that and maybe not for a while, but we are starting to act like a group of professionals. That is something that rubs off on people and something the fans of the Chiefs have deserved for a long, long time. I look forward to the future.