How To Beat Oakland
In the past, the Chiefs have never had too much of a problem finding a way to beat the Oakland Raiders. Remember Marty Schottenheimer’s old adage of just keep it close and the Raiders would hand it to you in the fourth quarter with their mistakes and blunders.
That was certainly the case for years. No opponent has ever controlled the Raiders for such a long period of time. Since 1989, the Chiefs and Raiders have played 39 times. The Chiefs have won 29 times. In this decade, the Chiefs have won 10 of 16 games and had a nine-game winning streak that was ended last year at Arrowhead Stadium by the Raiders.
None of that matters for this game because this Chiefs team is dominated by players who have no idea about that history and probably couldn’t care less. They are intent on making their own history. Tony Gonzalez, Donnie Edwards, Brian Waters … they can tell the stories, but this is a new day.
Here’s what the Chiefs must do to win this game:
How to Beat Oakland
1. Show up to the game.
Let’s cut to the chase. As Marty first said, (I think it was he), “Just stay close, slog it out because Oakland will make the mistake(s) that will allow us to win the game.”
Not much has changed since the 90s in this regard folks, so if Herm and the Chiefs are marginally smart, they’ll use the same strategy against the Raiders on Sunday.
I suspect this will be a close game, given the youth of the young Chiefs interfaced with the athleticism and talent of Oakland so to win, the Chiefs must play ‘their’ game and not the Raiders’. Comprende???
Rob Ryan and the Defense was highly criticized for their lack of pass rush (rushing only their front 4) against Denver.
After watching the NE game, I am sure they realize that the chiefs weakness is the right side of their O line, and that McIntosh struggles in pass protection against quicker linebackers. I fully expect them to try to exploit that (specially since they were quoted as saying they were working all week on a new D formation front).
They will also follow the typical Herm playbook of R2P2. If wet weather plays a factor, than I think that will play to their advantage (running the ball).
I would like to see our safety’s play up closer to the line of scrimmage,Corners play more man on man very little zone D.
As far as offense goes we need to keep playing it tight, establish the run, so we can use play action and screens, I’d like to see them pull the Guards and get Charles outside and into the Faiders secondary. Keep there D guessing with some miss direction stuff too.
I hated the offensive strategy against the Pats last week as I thought they should have thrown downfield more to exploit the Pats lack of talent in the secondary. This week however, I want to see more of the same. Run run and run some more. The Raiders may have gotten burned last week but that secondary has all world talent and they’ll be looking to redeem themselves against our smelly WR corps. I don’t think Huard is capable of winning a game with his arm either. We need LJ to pick up 100-125 and Charles and Smith to combine for another 50. We’ll win that way.
Last weeks strategy almost got us a win.
Huard has more than shown that he is capable of winning games with his arm, IMO. It seems like our recievers have less of a problem catching Huard’s passes than Croyle’s rockets.
I hope the chiefs figure out who is going to be their punt/kick returner because having 2 is a waste. IMO, Sams has more than shown he is healthy and injury free. Sams is ranked #12th KR in the league while Savage is 13th. What complicates all of this is that Sams only signed a 1yr contract, while Savage is playing on a cheap rookie contract. Hopefully this can be figured out before the trade deadline.
Last week’s strategy almost got us a win because Tom Brady wasn’t there to throw 5 TD passes.
true
Not saying Huard is a bad QB. I’m saying if he doesn’t have a ground game to take the pressure off of him his lack of arm strength is evident. He also curls up in a ball and takes sacks before defenders even get to him. If he has to throw more than 25 passes in this game we’re in big trouble.
I think Huard has an ‘adequate’ arm. That being said, I find it ironic that Brodie (the QB with the strongest arm) is only allowed to throw short passes, while Huard is allowed to throw deep.
We will not win anytime soon if the staff seems to think playing 3 different quarterbacks is the answer. It is mickey mouse coaching at it’s best right now! There is no consistency in not having any confidence in one guy. As well, we are unable to stop the run at the point of attack or at the 2nd level with our mediocre core of linebackers. And why does it seem that every time we run the ball, it is straight up the middle and never to the outside. Be prepared for a terribly long season!
Mickey Mouse coaching is correct!!
Chiefs should be embarrassed. The NFL should be embarrassed.
stopping the run? BS.
200+ yrds rushing with Herms hand-picked dline.
No O-line, no D-line, no linebackers, no QB, no idea how win. Its getting harder all the time be a fan of Herm Edwards and his ideals on how to win, or not win for that matter! I miss DT and his old posse.
findthedr:
It was an even 300. There should be lots of embarrassed people with the Chiefs, starting with the Head Coach. If you are such a poor motivator, the only thing you actually can do as a Head Coach, that your team isn’t ready to play on OPENING DAY AT HOME, against your most heated rival, what more can be said.
At least LJ is frustrated and is speaking up. Lots more Chiefs need to.