Chiefs-Raiders scouting report

When the Chiefs run

Jamaal Charles enjoyed his best game of the season with a 159-yard, two-touchdown performance last week against Seattle, and the offensive line, notably left tackle Eric Fisher, performed well. The Chiefs, who are trying to get rookie speedster DeAnthony Thomas involved in the running game with jet sweeps, should have some success against an Oakland run defense that ranks No. 27 in the league, allowing 130 yards per game.

When the Chiefs pass

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith attempted just 16 passes, his fewest in a game when healthy since his rookie year of 2005, in last week’s win over Seattle, but with a skeleton crew of receivers, handing the ball off to Charles was a better option. A year ago, Smith pitched a perfect game in a win at Oakland — a 158.3 passer rating — when he completed 17 of 20 passes for 287 yards and five touchdowns, utilizing the screen game with Charles. Smith has thrown 133 passes without an interception, a span of five games, and the Chiefs have won all five.

When the Raiders run

The Raiders are not just the NFL’s worst rushing team this season, they are on a pace, averaging 63 yards per game, to rush for the fewest yards in the NFL since 1946. Veteran running backs Darren McFadden, 27, and Maurice Jones-Drew, 29, don’t seem to have much left in the tank. The Raiders turned to second-year back Latavius Murray, who led Oakland with 43 yards in four carries last week against San Diego. The Chiefs have yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season.

When the Raiders pass

Rookie quarterback Derek Carr, with 13 TD passes and nine INTs, is the 28th-rated passer in the NFL (76.8), but that’s still better than fellow rookies Teddy Bridgewater of Minnesota (75.0) and Blake Bortles of Jacksonville (72.2). Oakland signed former Green Bay wide receiver James Jones in free agency, and he leads the Raiders with 49 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Holmes has caught four TD passes, including a 77-yarder. The Chiefs lead the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 202 yards per game, and are third with 30 sacks but have just four INTs.

Special teams

The kicking game could be critical in rainy and muddy conditions that are expected on Oakland’s mushy grass. Oakland’s Marquette King is typical of Raiders punters — he averages 41.4 net yards on 64 kicks, but just 19 have been inside the 20 compared to the Chiefs’ Dustin Colquitt (40.1), who has planted 20 of 42 punts inside the 20. Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski is still going strong at 36 and has 23 touchbacks on kickoffs; Chiefs rookie Cairo Santos has 18.

Coaching

Chiefs coach Andy Reid has to be a strong candidate for AFC Coach of the Year for the creative work he has done contending with a difficult schedule and early-season injuries. If anyone will be prepared for a short week, he will be. Oakland interim coach Tony Sparano is trying to save his staff’s jobs.

X-factor

The 0-10 Raiders, not wanting to be embarrassed on national television, are pulling out all the stops for this game. Ray Guy will receive his Hall of Fame ring at halftime, and about a dozen Raiders Hall of Famers, including coach John Madden, will be part of the festivities. These Thursday night games are tough on road teams, especially for those like the Chiefs, who have to travel across two time zones.

Bottom line: Chiefs 27-19

Don’t believe the “trap game” rhetoric, the Chiefs are focused for this game and are not looking ahead to Denver. Besides, who wants to be the first team to lose to the Raiders?

Randy Covitz, rcovitz@kcstar.com

This story was originally published November 19, 2014 at 12:22 PM with the headline "Chiefs-Raiders scouting report."