What We Learned About the Oakland Raiders Thursday Night

Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a penalty during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a penalty during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) rushes for a touchdown on a punt return against Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) during a NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) rushes for a touchdown on a punt return against Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) during a NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Gap Closing

The Chiefs are complete with offense, defense and special teams so they are better than the Raiders. Yes, Raiders fans including this writer have to admit the Chiefs are the better team right now. Remember, the Chiefs ran the Raiders 26-10 in their backyard.

But the gap is closing as they actually had a chance to win Thursday night. The Raiders got a lot of hype because of the way they played after the Chiefs beat them last time. But they didn’t quite pass the test the second time around.

The coaching gap is especially closing as it took 1.5 games but they are finally figuring it out. Then you have the injury factor that favors the Raiders in a big way. The Chiefs just lost ILB Derrick Johnson for the rest of the season (Achilles rupture).

And while Osemele was out due to illness, 2016 first-round SS Karl Joseph was out with a foot injury. We can’t forget that Mario Edward Jr. and Aldon Smith have yet to play this season. This is important because the two teams could play again this year.