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| Other Week 12 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL at SD | BUF at JAX | DEN at CHI | GB at DET | HOU at CLE | IND at ATL | MIA at PIT | MIN at NYG |
| NO at CAR | NYJ at DAL | OAK at KC | PHI at NE | SEA at STL | SF at ARI | TEN at CIN | WAS at TB |
Week 12 Game Recap: Oakland Raiders 20, Kansas City Chiefs 17
What you need to know
| Oakland Raiders |
The Oakland Raiders came into Kansas City as an underdog facing a team that had defeated them nine straight times since 2003. That streak is over. The Raiders had also lost 17 straight divisional contests going back to 2004, the longest active streak of consecutive losses within any division. The Raiders ended their Kansas City, AFC West division, and road woes with an upset of the Chiefs.
Oakland coach Lane Kiffin's recent decision to name Justin Fargas as the starting running back paid off handsomely. Fargas provided the predominant and most consistent offense for the Raiders. He accumulated 139 yards on just 22 carries (a 6.3 yard average per carry) while scoring one touchdown. He added 18 yards receiving.
Culpepper did not look at many options in the passing department. In addition to targeting Fargas, he only threw to tight end Zach Miller and to 2 wide receivers, Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter. Culpepper only accounted for 170 yards through the air and is only a shell of his former self. He appears to just be filling the position until rookie JaMarcus Russell is deemed ready to take over.
Jerry Porter, who has had injury concerns this year, twice needed to leave the field after being hurt on catches. He did seem alright afterwards.
| Kansas City Chiefs |
The Kansas City Chiefs are heading in the wrong direction. They have now lost four straight games. With the Chiefs' season slipping away, fans and media are seriously questioning Kansas City's offensive schemes and play calling. Kansas City continues to play ultra conservative. They had played conservative supposedly to make it easier for journeyman quarterback Damon Huard. Now they have second year player Brodie Croyle as the starter and they are calling it conservative to make it safer for Croyle. Kansas City has reached the point that they have nothing to lose and they may need to let their offense be a little more aggressive.
The Chiefs will be questioned for their final play calling of the game. In range of a 41 yard game tying field goal, the Chiefs used up two timeouts (one deciding what to do and one in an unsuccessful challenge) and then decided to try running on fourth down. They were unsuccessful and never had control of the football again. Partially to blame for this decision was a lack of trust in the kicking game. Kansas City kicker Dave Rayner had missed a 33 yard field goal attempt on the Chiefs' previous possession. Croyle, starting his second game behind center, only threw for 145 yards completing 13 of 23 passes with one interception. He alternated between looking real sharp with laser throws and displaying his inexperience with questionable passes. He spread the ball around well and should probably now be allowed to risk making mistakes while opening up the offense more. Talented Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez were his favorite targets.
Prior to this game the running back situation in Kansas City appeared bleak. Earlier in the year they had enjoyed the luxury of having had three different Pro Bowl running backs in the backfield with Larry Johnson, Michael Bennett, and Priest Holmes. The Chiefs traded Bennett to Tampa Bay, then lost Johnson to an injury, and finally saw Holmes suffer neck and spinal problems during last week's game, leading to Holmes' retirement from professional football. The Chiefs were left with only rookie, fifth round pick Kolby Smith who had 19 career yards on ten carries. To the surprise of everyone, in his first career start, Smith provided Kansas City with its best rushing performance of the year. Smith collected 150 yards on 31 carries, nearly five yards per carry. He also became the first running back other than Larry Johnson to rush for a touchdown in the last 36 games. Smith scored twice rushing the ball.
Cornerback Patrick Surtain left the game during the first quarter with what was later called a shoulder contusion.
What you ought to know
| QB Daunte Culpepper, Pass: 15 - 22 - 170 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 0 - 0 |
Culpepper appears to be holding down the job until first round pick JaMarcus Russell is ready to attempt to take it over. Culpepper does not compare to the player he used to be as a Minnesota Viking. He completed 15 out of 22 passes for only 170 yards with no touchdowns. He did not ever seem a threat to escape the pocket or gain yardage on the ground.
| RB Justin Fargas, Rush: 22 - 139 - 1, Rec: 2 - 18 - 0 (3 targets) |
Fargas was named by Coach Kiffin as the starter for the rest of the year. He resoundingly justified that decision during this contest. He gained 139 yards on the ground on only 22 carries and added 18 more yards on a couple catches. Currently Fargas seems to be firmly entrenched in his role as the starter.
| RB LaMont Jordan, Rush: 3 - 4 - 1 |
Lamont Jordan complained during the week that he wished to be released as he has lost his role as a starter. Jordan is currently behind Fargas in the rotation but was still brought in for some short yardage work. He only accumulated 4 yards total on three carries but he did score one touchdown.
| WR Ronald Curry, Rec: 6 - 39 - 0 (8 targets) |
Curry was Culpepper's favorite target catching six of the eight passes thrown to him but they were for only 39 yards on short passes with little ground gained after the catches. He was unable to ever break free for big gains.
| WR Jerry Porter, Rec: 3 - 75 - 0 (7 targets) |
Porter was targeted almost as much as Curry but he was more sought after for long gains. He collected 75 yards on his three catches. Porter, who has had some problems with injuries this year, is still a great threat for extended yardage after the catch. However after two of his catches, he seemed injured and had to leave the field. He came back but he seems to be a little bit of an injury risk currently.
| TE Zach Miller, Rec: 4 - 38 - 0 (4 targets) |
Tight end Zach Miller was the only other player that Culpepper targeted. He caught each of the four passes thrown to him, but lost a fumble after one catch. He was hit by Donnie Edwards and then the Chiefs' Bennie Sapp recovered.
| PK Sebastian Janikowski 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
Janikowski gave the Raiders all they could hope for. He was successful on both field goals he attempted including one huge booming kick of 54 yards that turned out to be the point differential in this contest. He also made both of his extra point attempts.
| OAK Rush Defense |
The Oakland rush defense was cut to pieces. They have been particularly bad this year and this game was no exception. With the Chiefs missing their pro bowl running backs, the Raiders allowed a fifth round draft pick rookie making his first NFL start to carve them up for 150 yards on 31 carries. They gave up two rushing touchdowns to rookie Kolby Smith.
| OAK Pass Defense |
The Raiders were pretty effective in pass defense as they were able to hold Brodie Croyle to only 145 yards through the air while making one interception. They often chased Croyle from the pocket and managed to sack him three times. Were Croyle a little less mobile, they would have completely stopped the Chiefs' pass offense.
| QB Brodie Croyle, Pass: 12 - 23 - 145 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 10 - 0 |
Croyle displayed the hope of the future with deadly aim on some hard well thrown passes. He also demonstrated the frustration of running an offense with an inexperienced quarterback. He managed only 145 yards on 13 completions in 22 attempts and threw one pick. To his defense, he was often given little time to properly wait for open receivers as he was often chased from the pocket and even was sacked three times. It appears that Croyle needs two things, to be given more freedom to open it up and a much improved offensive line.
| RB Kolby Smith, Rush: 31 - 150 - 2, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (5 targets) |
Kolby Smith was brought in to hold down the starting running back position until Larry Johnson returns from his injury. Not a lot was expected from him. After turning in the best Kansas City Chiefs rushing performance of 2007, there does not seem to be as much reason to worry about hurrying Johnson back. It should be kept in mind that Smith put in his incredible performance against one of the worst run defenses in the league. Even with that, his performance was stunning as he gained 150 yards on 31 carries with two touchdowns. The downside of his game would have to be his role as a receiver. He was targeted five times and only had one catch for two yards. The other four throws were all very catchable, but they were dropped by Smith. All things considered, it was an impressive debut.
| RB Gilbert Harris, Rush: 2 - 4 - 0 (1 targets) |
Fullback Gilbert Harris was claimed from the practice squad to provide the Chiefs with a backup for new starting running back Kolby Smith. He compiled four yards on two carries and had no catches.
| WR Dwayne Bowe, Rec: 4 - 63 - 0 (7 targets) |
Rookie Dwayne Bowe is now known by other teams as Croyle's favorite target and he is receiving extra coverage because of it. Bowe is a legitimate and dangerous weapon for the Chiefs. He pulled in four of the seven balls thrown his way for 63 yards.
| WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (2 targets) |
Kennison caught both passes thrown to him. He is still a dependable receiving option but has definitely moved to a new role as the second wide receiver for Kansas City.
| WR Samie Parker, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets) |
Parker caught the only pass thrown to him but there were just not enough passes for him to receive much attention.
| WR Jeff Webb (1 targets) |
Jeff Webb did not have any catches or yardage gained in this contest. He remains far down the list of likely receiving options.
| TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 3 - 48 - 0 (4 targets) |
Gonzalez was regularly and heavily blanketed in coverage but still pulled in three of the four passes sent his way for a respectable 48 positive yards. With Croyle's laser throws and Gonzalez's superior athletic ability, this looks like a passing combination that will be very effective for some time.
| TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (2 targets) |
Kris Wilson caught one pass for one yard and did not have much of a role in the game plan against the Raiders.
| PK Dave Rayner 1 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points |
Rayner's job is very likely in danger. Last week he missed two field goals and the Chiefs lost to the Colts by three points. This week he missed a field goal of 33 yards and then during crunch time was not called on when the Chiefs had a chance to try for a game tying 41 yard kick. Subsequently, the Chiefs lost by three points. He has failed in his role and will be considered by some as a liability. Do not be surprised if Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards brings in other kickers to try to beat out Rayner. He did make the one other field goal he attempted and he made both extra point tries.
| KC Rush Defense |
The Chiefs rush defense was beaten over and over. They gave up two touchdowns on the ground and allowed Justin Fargas to run all over them for 139 yards on just 22 carries, which is better than 6.3 yards per carry. The Chiefs rush defense seemed uncharacteristic as they have usually been much better than that.
| KC Pass Defense |
The Kansas City pass defense was able to contain Culpepper, limiting him to only 170 yards. They harassed him and kept him from having the time to complete many long gains. They did not come up with any interceptions but were able to sack him twice.
