Oakland offense vs. Kansas City defense

	RAIDERS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	1
	Pass	10
	Tot. Yds.	6
	Scoring	8
	Int's allowed	12
	Sacks allowed	45
	CHIEFS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	13
	vs. Pass	16
	Total yds. allowed	13
	# of Ints.	23
	# of Sacks	36
	Turnover differential	+20

The biggest obstacle the Raiders must overcome this week, and it could an insurmountable one, is running the football without starting OT's Mo Collins and Lincoln Kennedy, both of whom sustained injuries last week against San Diego. Oakland's bookend tackles have been the key to RB Napoleon Kaufman's outside running game.

If the starters can't go, look for ROG Barry Sims to open on the left side, with Gennaro DiNapoli re-entering the starting lineup at his old right guard spot. Veteran Darryl Ashmore will likely start at right tackle. The shuffled offensive line will require great assistance from banged up FB Jon Ritchie and TE's Rickey Dudley and Jeremy Brigham.

Head coach Jon Gruden knows that whichever team runs the ball more effectively will likely win this high-stakes contest, so look for the Raiders to use more two-tight end sets to help Kaufman get wide, even if that means giving up some big-play potential in the passing game. Gruden will stick to the ground more than he did in the first contest, in which the Raiders piled up 108 yards on 25 carries (4.3 avg.) before foolishly reverting to the pass late in the game.

The Chiefs, who did a nice job containing the running backs in Week 12, must concentrate on staying in their lanes to minimize QB Rich Gannon's role on the ground. Gannon did an excellent job of improvising when the things broke down the last time out against Kansas City, burning them for 30 yards on just four carries. The Chiefs' front four, led by the play of DT Chester McGlockton, dominated last week against the Seahawks, holding Ricky Watters & Co. to just 60 yards on 28 carries.

With DC James Hasty posting consistent shut-down efforts on a weekly basis, he should be able to contain Pro Bowl WR Tim Brown by himself, leaving struggling DC Chris Dishman to defend marginal starting WR James Jett. If the Chiefs make Jett beat them, it could be a long day for the Raiders' offense.

Kansas City offense vs. Oakland defense

Because Gonzalez has become such an integral part of the Chiefs' passing game, FS Charles Mincy will help strongside linebacker Richard Harvey on the big tight end. When Oakland begins doubling Gonzalez early, look for Kansas City to continue using double-tight end formations with Lonnie Johnson. If Gonzalez is taken out of his game, Johnson will play a key role between the hashes because his presence will open up sideline routes for WR's Joe Horn, Kevin Lockett, and Andre Rison.

Oakland's defense did an excellent job of pressuring QB Elvis Grbac (5 sacks) in the first meeting, but he was able to connect on enough play-action passes to prevent the Raiders from loading up against the run. The majority of the pressure came on outside blitzes with their outside linebackers and safeties. In last week's loss at the Kingdome, Seattle also had success with the wide blitz, especially on the right side against ROT Victor Riley. LDE James Harris doesn't pose much of a threat on passing downs so look for the majority of blitzes to come off the right edge.

Last Sunday, Seattle's pressure forced Grbac to revert back to some bad habits. Instead of taking sacks, the normally careful quarterback tested the Seahawks' tight coverage and subsequently threw three costly interceptions. If Grbac continues to spray the ball this week, Oakland's athletic corners will make him pay, as DC Charles Woodson did at the Coliseum with a 15-yard interception return for a score.

One positive for the Chiefs that might shore up some of the protection problems will be the return of LOG Dave Szott, who missed last week with the flu.

The Raiders had trouble with shifty RB Mike Cloud in the first meeting but they must prepare for an entirely different style of runner this Sunday. RB Bam Morris had a big first half last week against Seattle (6 att., 33 yds.) but the Chiefs had to abandon their run game after halftime because of the huge deficit they had to overcome.

The key this week will be keeping the game close so that head coach Gunther Cunningham can stick to his ball-control attack and not have to rely on Grbac to pull out the win.

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