Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Keys to the Game

November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is congratulated by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) after the game at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to the Game for the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs Week 13 matchup.

After losing three straight and falling from a playoff-contending 4-3 to a disappointing 4-6, the Raiders managed a close road win last week to get to 5-6 and back in the Wild Card hunt. This week the Raiders return home to play the Kansas City Chiefs, who started the season a disappointing 1-5 (including five consecutive losses) before winning their last five straight to push their record to 6-5, a game up on the Raiders in the divisional and Wild Card standings.

Last year, the Raiders played the Chiefs at home in week 12 and came into the game with an 0-10 record. Raiders fans will remember that this was the game where the Raiders finally got into the win column in a tightly-contested game remembered mostly for Latavius Murray’s 93-yard touchdown run and the epic final Raiders drive that resulted in Derek Carr’s game-winning touchdown strike to James Jones.

The Raiders will need a win this week to pull even with the Chiefs in the standings and to get closer to the pack in the Wild Card race. The Chiefs, meanwhile, want to put some distance between themselves and their divisional rival for that spot, and continue their red-hot winning streak. Here’s how the Raiders can stop the Chiefs: