Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper (9) carries the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest rivalry in NFL history is between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. Every since Lamarr Hunt oversaw the merger between the AFL and NFL behind Al Davis’ back in the ’60s, no two teams have hated each other more. And it got to a point where the Raiders and Chiefs drafted players just to beat each other.
But it was about more than the hatred, AFL Championships and trips to Super Bowl were at stake back then. In 1966, the Chiefs went to the Super Bowl because the Raiders couldn’t handle Chiefs Hall of Fame defensive tackle Buck Buchannon. So the Raiders drafted Hall of Fame guard Gene Upshaw in the first round in 1967 to handle him.
And that individual rivalry swung things in favor of the Raiders so they went to the Super Bowl that year. And now, we are in 2015 with a new individual rivalry brewing from the 2015 NFL Draft. It’s Amari Cooper vs Marcus Peters as the receiver and corner were drafted by the Raiders and Chiefs respectively.
I don’t know if this is going to decide who goes to the Super Bowl this year but the Raider vs Chiefs rivalry is always heated. And the Raiders have had a heck of an offseason so December 6, their first game against each other, is a date of interest. Raiders and Chiefs fans will get their first look at an individual rivalry that could decide the team rivalry for years to come.
Turn the page for a look at Cooper vs Peters.
Next: Marcus Peters Scouting Report