X-Factors: Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Jalen Richard

With Latavius Murray still ailing from a toe injury, he is going to miss his second consecutive game.

That means that for the second week in a row, it’ll be a big opportunity for rookie running backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard to step up and perform. And based on how Week 5 went, it should be Richard who gets the bulk of the work.

While neither back impressed on the ground — 23 yards on 9 carries for Washington and 31 yards on 8 carries for Richard — Jalen looked better. And he also was the better pass catcher, hauling in 6 receptions for 66 yards.

The Chiefs defense ranks 29th in rushing yards allowed per game, at 129.5. No Raiders back has stood out statically, but as a group, they rank 9th in the NFL.

Kansas City’s defense is starting to age, with the likes of Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali near their mid-30’s. A young, dynamic player such as Richard is exactly the type of player that can cause fits for this defense.

Add that to Richard’s punt and kick return ability, and he certainly has a chance to make a big impact on Sunday.

Chris Conley

The Chiefs offense is interesting, to say the least. It’s an odd mix of conservative and efficient, with intriguing skill players who are capable of making big plays.

Most of the attention deservedly goes to Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce, and that is what makes Conley an x-factor.

At the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, there may not have been a wide receiver more athletic than Conley. He was first in the broad jump at a ridiculous 11 feet and 7 inches, with a 4.35 40-yard dash to boot. Not only that, but he lifted more than 75 percent of the wide receivers in attendance, with 18 bench press reps.

That athleticism hasn’t translated into huge success for Conley, now in his second season, but that doesn’t mean he should be taken lightly. Especially going up against a defense ranked dead last in passing yards allowed per game.

What makes Conley a potential problem for the Raiders secondary is that Conley fits the mold of the type of receivers who give Oakland’s secondary trouble — athletes.