And Then There Was One

Ben Margot/AP Photo

Here it is; the last regular season game of the season. One final game to cap off a great regular season. And for the first time since 2006, the final game of the regular season is not the final game of the Chiefs. But since coach Haley and the players say they are not looking past this game against the Raiders, then neither will I. So here' s the pre-game for the Raiders.

Perhaps you remember the last time these two teams met? The Chiefs were up 10-0 going into halftime. Then Jacoby Ford returned the opening kick off of the second half 94 yards for a touchdown. And then, down 13-17 in the fourth quarter, Cassel connected with Bowe for a touchdown with 6:13 left. Then, on 1st and 20 with just seconds left on the clock, Jason Campbell of the Raiders completed a throw it to the Kansas City 22 yard line, seemingly intercepted by Brandon Flowers, but ripped away by Jacoby Ford at the last second. This then set up a Janikowski field goal with three seconds left to take it to overtime.

The Chiefs even got the ball first in overtime, but went three and out. And on the first play of the Raiders possession, Jason Campbell completes a pass to Ford that went for 47 yards. One play and one ice-the-kicker timeout taken by KC, Janikowski hit the game-winning 33 yard field goal.

This game was, to say the least, disappointing. Jacoby Ford finished with 6 receptions for 148 yards and that kick off touchdown. The Chiefs blew a ten point lead at halftime, and the Raiders stole a game from the Chiefs. It was a game that the Chiefs should have won, but gave away too many big plays and it killed them down the stretch. Twelve enforced penalties for 100 yards also doesn't help when you're trying to win a game on the road.

This week, the two teams remain the same, but the importance has really decreased. The Raiders can't even be the spoiler in this matchup. They have been eliminated from the playoffs and the Chiefs have already clinched the playoffs. Oakland has nothing to play for except an 8-8 record, and the Chiefs are simply playing for playoff position between the 3 and 4 seed. Obviously, some have labeled this game as meaningless.

The Raiders have the number two rushing team and the third best pass defense in the NFL. The Raiders are a tough team that have just let a lot of games slip through their fingers this season. Five of their eight losses were by eight points or less.

This game can represent a lot of historical milestones. If the Chiefs lose, the Raiders will be the first team since the merger of the NFL to go 6-0 in a division and not make the playoffs. If Matt Cassel throws three touchdown passes, he will tie Len Dawson's single season record of 30 set in 1964. If Jamaal Charles passes Arian Foster this week in rushing yards, he will be the first Chiefs player to win the rushing title since Priest Holmes in 2001. 

But, there's no guarantee of how long the Chiefs starters will be in the game tomorrow. Isn't it nice to have that as the only major concern going into the game?

Here's the injury report for this grudge match: 

Chiefs: Cornerback - Donald Washington - Doubtful

Raiders: Cornerback - Nnamdi Asomugha -Probable; Cornerback - Chris Johnson - Probable; Tight end - Zach Miller - Probable; Running back - Darren McFadden - Questionable; Defensive end - Richard Seymour - Questionable.