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Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory vs. Kansas City Chiefs

By John Buhler

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 8: Defensive end Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders reaches out to strip the ball from quarterback Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game on December 8, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 8: Defensive end Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders reaches out to strip the ball from quarterback Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game on December 8, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes a snap against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter on October 16, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Chiefs won 26-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith No. 11 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes a snap against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter on October 16, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Chiefs won 26-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Disrupt Alex Smith’s timing in the pocket

With the home crowd on their side, the best thing the Raiders can do in this game in hopes for an upset victory is to get after Alex Smith. Oakland has the horses to disrupt his timing in the pocket out on the edge.

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Khalil Mack was sensational in his first four weeks of the season. However, he has been quiet in the last two for the Silver and Black. While he struggled in the first three games of the year, Bruce Irvin has been playing with great confidence in the last week.

In the trenches, Mario Edwards Jr. has been healthy, Justin Ellis is playing respectably and rookie Eddie Vanderdoes isn’t over his skis at defensive tackle. The Chiefs will be vulnerable on the offensive line in this game. Center Mitch Morse and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be out due to injury.

Next: Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. Chiefs in Week 7

This could be a game where the Raiders’ defensive interior goes off. While Mack and Irvin could orchestrate the occasional rush on the inside, they have their own high-profile matchups to deal with on the outside. Irvin will take on Eric Fisher and Mack has Mitchell Schwartz to deal with. Tonight should be a great game. Let’s hope the Raiders get that w!

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