NFL Week 7 Viewing Guide: Drop everything to watch these games
By Joe Schiller
3. Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
In a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1960, the Chiefs and Raiders have been battling it out close to 60 years. That doesn’t change Thursday night as these AFC West rivals clash in a game with big implications.
These teams are heading in opposite directions through the first half of the season. Losers of four straight, the Raiders are in free fall and mashing the panic button. Derek Carr’s injury is just one of the many problems this team is facing right now. The Chiefs come off their first loss of the season, but are still one of the top teams in football right now with plenty of talented surrounding them.
If I’m betting on a team to bounce back from a loss, all my money is on the Chiefs. They’ve been the Raiders kryptonite and are 5-0 in their last five meetings. Even on the road in a hostile Oakland environment, the Chiefs still have the advantage. The Raiders product we’ve seen on the field is not something to be confident about right now.
This is essentially a must-win game for the Raiders, but it’s a tough game to win off a short week. Their defense isn’t good enough to slow down Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill and the rest of the Chiefs’ weapons. Thursday night games always prove to be tricky, but on paper the Chiefs are the better team and should come away with the win.