Score: KC 3 OAK 14
Alright welcome in to a special Thursday Night Football halftime post of the Raiders' divisional matchup vs. the arch-rival Chiefs where the Raiders have the lead heading into the locker room for the first time this season.
The Positives
Latavius Murray, 4 carries, 112 yards, 2 rushing TDs. Whoever picked up Murray in Fantasy and started him, you guys are gutsy (I know I should've, but I was so enamored with Josh Gordon). Other than that, Murray, dating back to last week against the Chargers has provided a spark like no other in the running game. All I can say is, Murray is a stud, 1st TD off the edge, 2nd TD, putting on the acceleration back into the Raiders' own territory and taking it to the house for a 90 yard TD run. Hopefully he's OK after taking a hit from a Chiefs defender, should've been a leading with the crown of the helmet called.
Defense. Particularly on containing Jamaal Charles. Last season, the Chiefs lit it up when they played us at the O.Co and Charles had a big day in the Chiefs screen and they couldn't stop him. What a difference a year makes and the Raiders are all around Charles. Khalil Mack is putting a lick on him, Sio Moore, Miles Burris, even Charles Woodson getting in there. Defense came out swarming and came out swinging. Mack and Tuck are disrupting the Chiefs' screen game big time and Mack creating all kinds of pressure, laying out a hit on Alex Smith. D.J. Hayden's making plays too, he made quite a hit in one of the quarters I forgot, I think it was against Hemingway or Bowe. The defense is playing good so far.
The Negatives
Denarius Moore. D. Mo is likely gone after this season, he can't rekindle his rookie year in the passing game. With T.J. Carrie out yet again, he's taking punt returning duties. He did an OK job calling for fair catches, but he muffed a punt return, almost costed the Raiders some momentum. Not a lot of negatives so far this game other than penalties, but Denarius Moore's muffed punt or fair catch (whatever you call it) was a lowlight and almost killed our momentum had the defense not hold.
Bottom Line
Under the lights, in the rainy weather. This is what makes the Chiefs-Raiders game memorable. I still remember that 2002 game as a kid when the O.Co turf was all muddied up and everybody was getting their jerseys wet. What happened that game? The Raiders won. Let's hope the same result occurs and in order for that to happen, the same formula as the first half, run the ball and play hard nosed defense.
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