An absolute classic for the start in Week 7!The Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) travel to the Oakland Raiders (2-4), and especially for the hosts it’s a lot of work.In the event of another bankruptcy, Oakland might have to leave the division already, while KC meanwhile wants to give the right answer after the bankruptcy against Pittsburgh.Everything is set up for a division crasher – the spectacle will be shown live on Friday at 2:25 a. m. on DAZN!
So the last team has also fallen, the Kansas City Chiefs are no longer unbeaten.Again against Pittsburgh, back home again because their own offense couldn’t cope with the Steelers-Defense.The Steelers front used to dominate Kansas Citys so well run-blocking, while the Secondary had the passing game completely under control for a long time.As in the previous year’s playoffs, the Steelers’ zone defense was a problem for KC, which was unable to apply its misdirection and other Man-Beater concepts as usual.
With arch-rival Oakland in a short week in front of her chest, the question arises: Which chief’s offense will the fans get to see on Thursday evening?The first shock was before the end of the game on Sunday.Tyreek Hill had to leave after a hard hit at a late point return against the Steelers with suspicion of a concussion, which presumably would have ruled out an operation on Thursday.The good news is that the suspicion has not been substantiated, and the investigations have not revealed any concussion of the receiver.
“Accordingly, he has never been in the minutes, and he’s doing well since then,”explained head coach Andy Reid.Already on Tuesday the Speedster was training again.
In addition, it records the third most common yards per route from the slot (2.68), where 31.9 percent of its itineraries take place.Even better: 23.5 yards per slot-reception Hill has a current account.Not to mention his immense qualities as a returner.
To answer the question: Kansas City’s offense was supposed to be reminiscent of the version of the first five weeks, rather than the performance against Pittsburgh.The duel on this side of the ball could still be exciting, because Oakland had a solid run defensive and should improve at least in this area through the engagement of NaVorro Bowman.
At the same time, however, the Raiders had nothing to do with a run game like the Chiefs’ in recent weeks, Kansas City can present so many different formations to a defense and perform a multitude of moves from identical formations that it is extremely difficult to defend them.This is probably one of the reasons why Kareem Hunt scores long runs several times as late in the game: At some point, the defense bites on one of the often placed baits and can be completely exposed by a misdirection.
Above all, Bowman (13 run-stops, eighth highest value of all linebackers) in the pass defense, Oaklands big problem zone, will not help much and so the raiders have to ask themselves how they should defend Hill and Travis Kelce.This is all the more true since the own Pass-Rush was not very efficient and will rely too much on Khalil Mack.
It’s also clear that the number of missteps for the raiders is almost full.After the bankruptcy against the Chargers reigns final red alert stage, with regard to the division has the game against Kansas City almost final character.And even the wildcard slots would increasingly disappear in the event of another defeat.
Head coach Jack Del Rio appealed to his players at his press conference this week:”If everything goes well, it’s easy, but if things don’t go that way, can you be a positive force for us?I see many encouraging signs and we will continue to work on it.I believe in that.”
While one had to reckon defensively with the problems – although perhaps not to this extent – the offensive difficulties are surprising.Against the Chargers, Oakland scored their first points in the game within a month after falling behind Baltimore (0:14), Denver (0:10) and Washington (0:21) early in the game.All in all, however, the performances are alarming.
At the end of September, Washington mercilessly uncovered the problems of a surprising home win over Oakland: The Redskins played a kind of press zone coverage and took the Raiders’ short pass game.Suddenly Derek Carr had to hold the ball longer and cracks became evident in the offensive line, which was so dominant last year.The Run Game is not dominant enough to carry the team and Carr himself was limited in his surprisingly fast comeback against the Chargers.
But he then made it clear:”This had nothing to do with my back.They have played a lot of soft coverage, so their defensive coordinator plays.He’s trying to create pressure and then hide some things.”
In this respect, too, the division crasher should be exciting.The Chiefs play defensively as a percentage by far the most man coverage – 63.5 percent, no other team here is more than 50 percent.So the raiders have to win their duels and bet on good route combinations, otherwise Kansas City’s pass rush will be a problem.
Oakland Raiders (2-4) – Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) (Fri, 2:25 a. m. live on DAZN)
The SPOX NFL Predictor, Week 7:
Pascal
De Marco
50-41