The Oakland Raiders (4-1) will look to earn their fourth consecutive win in Week 6, against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs (2-2).
At 4-1, the Oakland Raiders will look to add a win to already their best record since 2002 in their second consecutive game against a division opponent, as the Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) will look to turn their season around in O. Co Coliseum.
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, a Bay Area native obviously aware of the history behind this matchup, hopes to see another great game between the two teams ending in the Raiders’ favor.
"“I’m thinking about all the Raiders,” Del Rio said, via Raiders.com. “There have been some great games over the years. I think for it to be a really good rivalry, I think both teams have to have success. So we’re looking forward to having some success because that’s what our part is. Have some success, do well, play a good game against a good team.”"
Here we take an in-depth look at how much success the Raiders will have on Sunday, previewing how Del Rio and company can turn a ‘good game against a good team’ into another notch in the win column.
Rookie Running Backs Will Dictate the Raiders’ Offense
With lead running back Latavius Murray now missing back-to-back games with a toe injury, the Raiders will look to their rookie running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard to carry the load against a porous Chiefs run defense.
Both Washington and Richard are best utilized as change-of-pace backs to larger, downhill runner like Murray because of their lack of size; however, their explosive running style will hurt opposing defenses if they are unable to make open field tackles.
Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave praised the duo for their ability to take on such a large workload this early in their careers.
"“Good. Just they have so much on their plate,” Musgrave said. “They’re young guys. Fifth game of their career and they have to contribute on special teams and be ready to go run the punt team, cover kicks, catch punts, catch kicks and then know everything that we’re doing on offense. Very impressed.”"
Playing in Murray’s absence last week, Washington and Richard combined for just 54 yards on 17 carries, but the two should turn things around against Kansas City.
The Chiefs have allowed the fourth most rushing yards per game (129.5) this season, as their front seven has failed to create early penetration and contain opposing ball carriers without edge-defender Justin Houston in the lineup.
Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, the team’s leading tackler (31), has done his best to keep things under control, but he is receiving no help from his teammates playing at the line of scrimmage.
In what should be a bounce back game for Washington and Richard, the Raiders’ offensive line should bully the Chiefs in the trenches, opening up large running lanes for the Oakland’s rookie running backs.