Chiefs vs. Raiders: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

An old saying suggests things have to get worse before they get better, but the winless Oakland Raiders may be exempt from such theories as they head into a Week 12 Thursday Night Football encounter with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Raiders sit at the absolute bottom of the league at 0-10, although there have been some close games to note, including last week's 13-6 loss in San Diego. 

After a slow start, the 7-3 Chiefs have been almost the exact opposite, winning seven of their last eight. This past weekend was a home triumph over the defending champs thanks to elite rushers and an elite pass defense. 

This Thursday's affair seems to be a clunker, but this is upset season. Oakland seems due, and Kansas City could be looking ahead to matchups with Denver and Arizona in the coming weeks, so try not to write this off as a game to skip.

Running to the Top

Andy Reid has a capable quarterback at his disposal in Alex Smith, who has completed 66.3 percent of his passes this year for 1,977 yards and 11 touchdowns to four interceptions.

Not that this offense necessarily needs a quarterback. At all.

Reid boasts one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL (291 pass attempts to 297 rushes), but few would know it given the elite production he gets from the combo of Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis:

NAME	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	20+	TD
Jamaal Charles	133	692	5.2	47	5	8
Knile Davis	111	421	3.8	48	3	5

The combo allows the Chiefs to rank No. 4 overall in running the ball with an average of 141.2 rushing yards per game. Both men are interchangeable, too. Back in Week 3 against Miami, Charles missed the game, and Davis turned 32 totes into 132 yards and a score to get the win.

Bad news for the Raiders—both men are healthy, short week or not.

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The Raiders actually rank quite well against the pass this season, but this is likely because teams are too busy shoving the ball down the defense's throat by way of the ground game. Tony Sparano's defense ranks 27th with 129.8 yards allowed on average.

Each of Oakland's last three opponents have breezed to more than 100 rushing yards. Kansas City seems like a safe bet to make it four in a row. Reid is not going to stop doing what works, especially on short notice as his team jockeys for position with Denver at the top of the AFC West.

If Sio Moore and the rest of the Oakland defense can turn things around, though, this will prove to be a close encounter.

Getting Over the Hump

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The Raiders have been close to getting that elusive first win a few times at home this year. Week 6 was a tough 31-28 loss to San Diego. During Week 7, Arizona escaped with a 24-13 win. 

These are the pains and struggles the Oakland front office knew it would suffer through this season with rookie quarterback Derek Carr under center. Carr has been electric at times, but more often than not, he has looked very much like a rookie.

The former Fresno State star has completed just 59.8 percent of his passes this year for 2,075 yards and 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions. At other times, though, Carr has looked like a seasoned veteran, including throwing four touchdowns passes in that close loss to San Diego in Week 6.

As BJ Kissel of KCChiefs.com captures, Kansas City is well aware of the fact that Carr has the natural talent to explode in any contest:

While it is great the Chiefs are taking any and all opposition very seriously, it is difficult to imagine that a secondary led by Eric Berry will have a bevy of issues against a rookie quarterback.

After all, the Chiefs rank No. 1 overall in terms of pass defense with just 201.6 yards allowed per game through the air. The unit has played well against Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and a host of others this season.

Carr is up next, and his ability to turn in one of his better performances as a pro against an elite defense will determine the game outright.

When: Thursday, November 20, 8:25 p.m. ET

Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Watch: NFL Network

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 43
• Spread: Kansas City (-8)

Team Injury Reports

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

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At home or not, the Raiders are asking a lot of a rookie signal-caller in prime time. 

Kansas City has generated 30 sacks this season to date. When the rush is not getting home, players such as Berry and Sean Smith are closing on the ball and causing mistakes.

The formula here for the Chiefs is simple. Run the ball. Occasionally call for a fake and go over the top. Repeat. This keeps Carr off the field and a miserable defense on it.

Oakland is never an easy place to play. This is a rivalry game on short notice. But right now, the Chiefs are simply too good, and the Raiders are too lacking in key areas to birth one of the season's more notable upsets.

Prediction: Chiefs 35, Raiders 24

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).