Chiefs-Raiders Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Chiefs-Raiders

SCOUTING REPORT

Chiefs-Raiders: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Chiefs-Raiders matchup. 1. Kansas City needs to be physical: In the Raiders' two victories this season, they have brought a very physical game with them. The Chiefs want to beat the Raiders at their own game. Expect defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast to give the Raiders a lot of looks and to bring a heavy blitz package as he tries to keep QB JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders off balance.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
KAN	2-7	142	215	0-4	2-3	1-2	1-4
OAK	2-7	88	217	1-4	1-3	1-4	1-6
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Kansas City Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Cassel 55.6 1472 10 6 Croyle 66.7 177 2 0

Oakland Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Russel... 46.8 1064 2 9 Gradko... 56.7 163 0 2

Kansas City Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Johnso... 132 377 2.9 0 Charle... 47 255 5.4 1

Oakland Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Bush 77 350 4.5 2 Fargas 82 304 3.7 2

Kansas City Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Bowe 33 466 14.1 4 Wade 20 226 11.3 2

Oakland Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Miller 29 430 14.8 1 Murphy 16 232 14.5 1

Full Player Stats: Kansas City | Oakland

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	KAN	267.0
	OAK	222.0
Yards Passing	KAN	166.6
	OAK	118.6
Yards Rushing	KAN	100.0
	OAK	103.4
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	KAN	375.6
	OAK	367.1
Pass Yds Allowed	KAN	234.2
	OAK	211.6
Rush Yds Allowed	KAN	141.3
	OAK	155.6

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Kansas City leads 12-6
Sep 20, 2009	KAN 10, @OAK 13
Nov 30, 2008	KAN 20, OAK 13
Sep 14, 2008	KAN 8, @OAK 23
Nov 25, 2007	KAN 17, @OAK 20
Oct 21, 2007	KAN 12, OAK 10
Dec 23, 2006	KAN 20, OAK 9
Nov 19, 2006	KAN 17, @OAK 13
Nov 6, 2005	KAN 27, @OAK 23
Sep 18, 2005	KAN 23, OAK 17
Dec 25, 2004	KAN 31, @OAK 30
Dec 5, 2004	KAN 34, OAK 27
Nov 23, 2003	KAN 27, @OAK 24
Oct 20, 2003	KAN 17, OAK 10
Dec 28, 2002	KAN 0, OAK 24
Oct 27, 2002	KAN 20, @OAK 10
Dec 9, 2001	KAN 26, OAK 28
Sep 9, 2001	KAN 24, @OAK 27

The Kansas Chiefs and Oakland Raiders have been making plenty of headlines the past few weeks, but not for any reasons they'd like.

In a matchup of two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Chiefs will take the field Sunday without Larry Johnson, who was released for making inappropriate comments, against a Raiders team dealing with more allegations of coach Tom Cable's history of violent behavior toward women.

Kansas City (1-7) is set to play its first game without Johnson on its roster since 2002 after the two-time Pro Bowl running back was released Monday. He was initially suspended for posting on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulting followers and questioning the competence of coach Todd Haley.

"We decided it was in the best interests of the Kansas City Chiefs organization to move forward at this time," Haley said.

Johnson, just 75 yards away from breaking Priest Holmes' team rushing record of 6,070, was averaging only 2.7 yards on 132 carries this season and will be replaced by Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith.

Charles got the start last Sunday, rushing for 36 yards on six carries in the Chiefs' 24-21 loss to Jacksonville. Smith, who had knee surgery last year, saw his first action of the season last week, carrying four times for 17 yards.

The beleaguered offense, which averages 278.9 yards per game to rank 30th in the league, took another hit Wednesday when right guard Mike Goff went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

"We'll have to carry on," Haley said. "Injuries are a part of the game. Guys have to step in and get the job done."

Kansas City gained a season-best 409 yards against Oakland on Sept. 20, but lost the turnover battle 2-0 and suffered a 13-10 defeat. The Chiefs led 10-6 until Darren McFadden's five-yard touchdown run with 1:07 remaining.

The Raiders' win over Kansas City in Week 2 was one of the few highlights of the season for Oakland, which hasn't played since a 24-16 loss to San Diego on Nov. 1.

The Raiders (2-6), who haven't swept a season series from the Chiefs since 2001, have scored three touchdowns in the past six games, failed to reach 200 yards of offense in five of eight contests and are the lowest-ranked offense in the NFL, averaging 232.9 yards per game.

Oakland's offensive ineptness has stemmed from the play of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who is completing only 48.4 percent of his passes and has a 48.3 quarterback rating -- second-worst in the league. He completed 7 of 24 passes for 109 yards against the Chiefs.

Russell's struggles and the Raiders' game-day woes have been overshadowed at times by Cable's off-field issues.

Former defensive assistant Randy Hanson accused Cable of assaulting him and breaking his jaw during training camp, and in the past few weeks charges were made by Cable's first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

The National Organization for Women called on the Raiders to suspend Cable while the team investigates allegations of his abuse toward women.

Oakland is trying not to get distracted by these accusations, and is focusing on improving an offense that is averaging a dismal 7.5 points in its last six games.

"Everybody is looking for an answer right now," said Louis Murphy, who leads Oakland receivers with 16 catches. "We have to continue to stay together as a team and continue to work hard, and continue in practice to work hard to drill our plays and continue to do what the coaches ask of us. Eventually it's going to come out in the games."

The Raiders' offense is hoping to receive a boost with the expected return of McFadden, wide receiver Chaz Schilens, left guard Robert Gallery and right tackle Cornell Green.

Barrios: Why GLAAD took action about Larry Johnson

The president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation outlines the danger in anti-gay comments such as the ones made recently by running back Larry Johnson.

Secret is out: Defenses blanketing Boys' Austin

Miles Austin isn't doing anything wrong. It's the defenses: They've noticed.

Pasquarelli: Browns, Raiders, Rams head pack of putrid offenses

Terrible offenses in Cleveland, Oakland and St. Louis have dragged down scoring in the NFL, writes Len Pasquarelli.

FBO: Week 11 previews

Football Outsiders applies its metrics to Week 11 in the NFL. Observations: The Colts do have a weakness; the Broncos need to run more; Drew Brees is gonna air it out big-time in Tampa and yes, yes ... Philly is inconsistent.

'He runs a tight ship'

When Todd Haley was introduced as the Chiefs' new head coach in early February, he joked that he was trying to loosen up, if only for the day.

Safety alert: Mike Brown making free-agent visit to Kansas City

One safety with Chicago ties is expected to announce his retirement today. Another will look for a new place to continue his career.

Still no Waters or Vrabel at Chiefs practice, but LJ returns

The Chiefs began another week of optional team practices without two important pieces, and how Kansas City ends this week could foretell whether key players on offense and defense have a future with the team.

Chiefs adjust to new roles in new defense

Turk McBride still feels himself inching toward the defensive line, home for so long, and the comfort his old position would bring.

Clock ticking on Chiefs contract

The game of chicken between the Kansas City Chiefs and state government has yet to scare away potential builders of a summer training camp facility in St.

Raiders -- yes, Raiders -- upbeat this summer

Things have been relatively quiet for the Raiders this offseason. Sure, there were those pesky photos of a blinged-out JaMarcus Russell, whose work ethic has been in question, posing in what appeared to be a club with an unlit cigar in his mouth and a drink in hand.

Sharing stadium not such bad idea

THE ONLY ABSOLUTE about a sports team seeking a new home is the presence of anger.

Raiders are easy targets

It's tantamount to a declaration of war on the sovereign Raider Nation. John Tayman's Bang! Cartoons levels both barrels at Al Davis , JaMarcus Russell , Darrius Heyward-Bey and Tom Cable.

Long past their glory days, Raiders seeking winning recipe

Once upon a time, the Oakland Raiders staked their claim as one of the more successful franchises in NFL history.

Cable shoots down Burgess talks

Raiders coach Tom Cable was a guest on Chronicle Live on Wednesday night, talking about the goal of OTAs, the development of JaMarcus Russell, etc.