Good morning!! We have a full plate of Kansas City Chiefs news for you today. Great stories ahead on this Sunday's game and what it can mean in the divisional standings. Read up and enjoy.
Last year, the rookie stood and watched as his offensive line teammates were dominated and humbled. There wasn't much else Jon Asamoah could do, except maybe learn.
This was how the Oakland Raiders play. These were the two physical, draining losses that Asamoah, and the Chiefs, must learn from - and avoid repeating.
Asamoah Prepares For A Challenge from KC Star
Carson Palmer's status as the Raiders starting quarterback might be the biggest national storyline surrounding Sunday's rivalry meeting between Kansas City and Oakland, but its run second-fiddle at One Arrowhead Drive this week.
Oakland's quarterback situation is definitely on the Chiefs radar, but finding a way to stop the Raiders' punishing rushing attack is Kansas City's top defensive priority.
Arrowhead Report: Run First from The Mothership
KC Star Video: Haley Talks About Raiders, Quarterback Situation
KC Star Video: Chiefs Players Talk About the Black Hole
NFL.com Video: Week 7: Chiefs vs. Raiders Preview
NFL.com Video: Playbook: Chiefs vs. Raiders
The Chiefs have been outspoken about the importance of Sunday's game in Oakland. It's a flip game for Kansas City. A chance to continue riding a hot streak and push back towards the top of the division.
As important as Sunday's rivalry game is to the Chiefs, it seems to be just as important to the Raiders.
On the Line in Oakland from The Mothership
"He was ready to go for the Indy game. I'm glad now he's had a couple more weeks. At the same time, that decision will come down to game day, I believe. Not because of him really, but there are a lot of different things to think about.
"I have to think about Steve Breaston and Dwayne Bowe a little bit. They've been playing really well the last couple of weeks specifically, and I don't want to disrupt them a whole bunch."
Chiefs Buzz: Baldwin Will Be Game-time Decision from KC Star
Q: You've been getting better against the run each week. Is your defense good enough to shut down those guys?
HALEY: "Well, we'll see. I think we have been getting better. We've played some teams that could run the ball a little bit, and this one definitely can, so we'll see. We will be tested, but we've been making progress across the board up front and defensively in general and this will be a great test."
Q&A with Todd Haley 10/20 from The Mothership
Raiders coach Hue Jackson poked fun Thursday at reports that said newly acquired quarterback Carson Palmer will start Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I just laugh at all the reports - 'He's starting!' " Jackson said. "Everybody has made the decision for me. Thank you. I appreciate it."
Palmer to Start? It's a Laughing Matter from The Sacramento Bee
This game shouldn't be close no matter who the Raiders play at QB, even if it's Kyle Boller, though that's the last thing Hue Jackson apparently wants to happen.
If not Carson Palmer, then Lechler, maybe? Darren McFadden in the full-time Wildcat? Jason Campbell throwing left-handed? I'm kidding-Boller could hand off 60 times, throw it 0 times, and the Raiders still win by two TDs.
NFL Picks, Week 7: Raiders Blowout Special, With or Without Palmer at QB from The San Jose Mercury News
Opposing offenses were averaging 9.6 yards per play when the Raiders blitzed through the first four games, according to STATS LLC. In their past two games, against Houston and Cleveland, that number dropped to 3.4 yards per play.
"I think we're just realizing who we are and what our strengths are," Giordano said. "We have great corners who can play man-to-man, and we have a great frontline that can create havoc, and we have guys that know how to blitz. You put that all together and you have a good pressure defense."
Raiders Surprising Opponents With More, Different Blitzes from The Sacramento Bee
As part of the NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle, the Chiefs Rookie Club recently held a football clinic for select youth from the Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. These children, who actively participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs' flag football league, exemplify the PLAY 60 spirit of eating right and staying active. In celebration, these youth footballers not only received hands-on instruction from the Chiefs Rookie Club but will also be rewarded for their efforts with some additional surprises.
Chiefs Rookie Club & United Way Host Football Clinic from The Mothership
How can I say this forcefully enough? Maybe through multiple choice.
If the Raiders start Carson Palmer at quarterback Sunday, after just three days of practice, they would be:
A. Crazy.
B. Crazier than that.
C. Desperately premature.
D. Prematurely desperate.
E. Risking injury to their new most valuable asset.
F. Risking a greater chance of defeat, which ultimately trumps all of the above.
You will notice that, among the choices, the word "brilliant" is not listed.
Carson Palmer Isn't A Toy The Raiders Should Play With from The San Jose Mercury News
Over the past few weeks, Chiefs fans have begun to see why coach Todd Haley was so excited about the free agent acquisition of wide receiver Steve Breaston.
Breaston's slow start mirrored that of the Chiefs, who were outscored by a combined 89-10 in blowout losses to the Bills and Lions. Breaston had three catches for just 33 yards in those games. But Breaston has emerged in the last three games as a potent complement to Dwayne Bowe.
Chiefs WR Steve Breaston Settling Into His New Team from The Washington Post
Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs: If you're in a deeper league and need a spot starter at quarterback, Cassel is worth a look off the waiver wire. The veteran had his best stat line of the year in Week 5, throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns against the Colts. Now he goes up against the Raiders, who have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing signal-callers.
Jackie Battle, RB, Chiefs: Battle rushed for 119 yards in his last game before Kansas City's bye, so he's earned himself a bigger role in the backfield moving forward. Now he goes up against the Raiders, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to backs. While Thomas Jones is also going to see some work this week, Battle is still worth a look as a potential flex starter.
Murray, Battle Among Fantasy's Top Sleepers in Week 7 from NFL.com
Commitment to Carson: Hue Jackson wasted no time rushing Palmer into service. Knowing that Palmer would have to be in uniform because Terrelle Pryor isn't ready to be the backup and Kyle Boller is the only other option, Jackson might as well start Palmer against Kansas City.
Teams are finding it's time for Plan B from ESPN
Kansas City, Jackie Battle, running back: He is giving the Chiefs a chance for running success after the season-ending knee injury to star Jamaal Charles. Battle had 119 yards on 19 carries in Week 5. He will be given the chance to establish a ground attack at Oakland.
One Player To Watch from ESPN
Whoda thunk a few games ago that KC could be on the brink of anything this season other than the championship of the Suck 4 Luck sweepstakes? But, that was before two consecutive wins and the ability to look back at the first three losses and (excluding the margin) not feel bad about them at all. KC meets a beatable team Sunday and could (wonder of wonders) be 3-3 on the season!
And, the amazing thing about 3-3 or any .500 record is that there are (theoretically) just as many teams worse than KC as better. Whoa Nellie!
Chiefs vs. Raiders: On the Brink from Upon Further Review
Darrius Heyward-Bey was quick to introduce himself to new Oakland Raiders teammate Carson Palmer and also was among a handful of wide receivers who joined their new quarterback for additional throwing following his first practice this week.
Call it an investment in the future -- for the Raiders, Palmer and Heyward-Bey.
Palmer, Raiders WRs Work Overtime to Establish Chemistry from NFL.com