Oakland Raiders Week 13 X-Factors against the Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Holder
The Oakland Raiders have an opportunity to lead the AFC West with a win against the Kansas City Chiefs this week. If the team is going to pull off the upset, the Raiders x-factors need to perform well.
After suffering a devastating defeat last Sunday, the Oakland Raiders don’t have time to lick their wounds and feel sorry for themselves. The team travels to Kansas City this week and must walk away with a win to keep their hopes of a division title alive.
As a double-digit underdog, the odds are not in their favor and the Raiders x-factors must show up for the team to be successful.
Oakland sits a game behind the Chiefs in the standings and since Kansas City won the first matchup, the Raiders must walk away with a victory this weekend to even out the tie-breaker. Also, falling two games behind with four to play would virtually end any hopes the Silver and Black have at the AFC West crown.
Beyond the division, the team needs a victory just to stay afloat in the postseason race. The Raiders are currently involved in a four-way tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans for the last AFC Wild Card spot. With such a close race Oakland cannot afford another misstep, especially after dropping the ball last week.
Sunday will be an uphill battle, but the Silver and Black will have a fighting chance if the following players perform.