What We Learned About the Oakland Raiders Thursday Night

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Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) stiff arms Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Line

This writer believes the Raiders and Chiefs will see each other again in the playoffs this year. So everything the we’re finding out about the Raiders in regards to the Chiefs is important. The first thing is the Raiders can run the ball and stop the run against the Chiefs.

So they should give the Chiefs a heavy dose of Murray, who’s a Chiefs-killer. In five games against the Chiefs, he has an average of 5.7 yards per carry and four TDs. The last time the Raiders beat the Chiefs, Murray had himself a 90-yard TD run.

The Raiders can win with defense and the running game until Carr can proves he’s not scared of the Chiefs. Speaking of the defense, head coach Jack Del Rio learned that off-man coverage does nothing for them. They have bump-and-run cornerbacks that need to bump and run.

Tight coverage will lead to Mack, the most dominant player in the game, dominating more. So while the Chiefs should be favored if the two teams play in the playoffs, the Raiders have a good shot. They could get four starters back on defense and one on offense.

The coaching staff just has to apply what they learned Thursday night.

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