Oakland Raiders respect, praise the Chiefs defensive front

The Kansas City Chiefs have endured a difficult season largely on their inability to stop the other team from scoring. While the Chiefs have moved the chains admirably at times, the defense has allowed the opponent to match them and even beat them as the game wears on. Yet despite the early season frustrations, the Raiders don't sound like a team taking the Chiefs defensive front for granted.

Instead, several Raiders players spoke out this week about the Chiefs defense with respect and admiration.

"They're a great defense," added offensive lineman Mike Brisiel. "They have a lot of first-round talent. You know they've got the talent up there. We know that it's going to be a challenge. Each snap we've got to bring our A-game and start fast."

Quarterback Carson Palmer also mentioned the physical nature of the front seven while giving a nod to the big-play ability of Eric Berry in the secondary.

"It's a really good front seven, big physical front seven with a safety that was a top-five draft pick that went to a Pro Bowl his rookie year that's now coming back," said Palmer. "It is an in-division game. It's a big time rivalry and it means a lot to that city. It obviously means a lot to the Raider Nation, so their fans will be ready for us. It is not going to be nice and quiet and easy. They are going to make it difficult on us."

Raiders head coach Dennis Allen is quite familiar with impressive defensive fronts, and the former Broncos defensive coordinator is impressed by what he sees with the Chiefs.

"They've got a couple of really good pass rushers," said Allen. "[Justin] Houston is also a very good pass rusher. So it's some tough match ups. It presents some challenges and we have to understand where they are, especially on passing situations, and make sure we're able to give our quarterback time to throw the ball and execute in the passing game."

The game kicks off at 3:05 p.m. Central Time at Arrowhead Stadium.