Chiefs adjust to short week for Thursday night showdown vs. Raiders

If NFL players had their druthers, the league would almost certainly do away with Thursday night games.

But that’s not likely to happen anytime soon due to the money the games generate, so the Chiefs, just like the Raiders, will make do before their Thursday night showdown at O.co Coliseum.

“It’s not the same (as a normal week), but it’s an even playing field,” Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. “Both teams are working on a short week and both teams have to deal with it, but obviously you are missing quite a few days there to put in more, to watch more film, get more rest, all of those things. But both teams deal with it.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the short week brings a certain amount of urgency for players and coaches when it comes to preparing the game plan.

“The coaches, we got on it right after the game,” Reid said. “Well, we actually did some stuff before the game and then came back and knocked some things out after the game and then the players came in yesterday.

“We threw the base at them, base game plan at them, and then today they’ve got the goal line, red zone, short yardage and the rest of it thrown at them. There’s not a lot of time for anything else here. You’re kind of all consumed in this thing getting it right and accurate.”

Reid wasasked if strange things happen in these Thursday night games because there’s less prep time.

“Probably, more from a physical standpoint really on both sides,” Reid said. “Anytime you play this game, there’s a physical element. It’s just a matter of the guys getting themselves back and being able to be physically ready to play. The mental part, they handle it and they get that part done. You’re back to back in games here in four days. That’s a tough deal.”

Smith said it’s something the Chiefs, who also had to travel for their Thursday night game last season in Philadelphia just have to push through.

“But when you’re in the middle of it, you just get ready and roll,” Smith said. “I think you’ve got no choice, we’re going to play.”

Chiefs relying on run

Reid has a well-earned reputation for leaning on the passing game, which makes the Chiefs’ run/pass ratio Sunday — 16 passes to 30 runs — all the more interesting.

Smith was asked if Reid was nervous about throwing the ball against the Seahawks’ vaunted Legion of Boom secondary.

“You know what? Probably,” Smith said with a chuckle. “He didn’t say anything to me, though. And that was strange for me as well. It was one of those games, though. We were so efficient in the run game and efficient per play.

“When you look at the yards per play, it was a strange game. Then we only had 40-some plays really before the kneel downs. It was strange kind of the way it went there in the second half.”

The Chiefs rushed for 190 yards and passed for 108 yards.

Broncos lose Ball

The Broncos will be without running back Montee Ball for their Nov. 30 game against the Chiefs in Kansas City, according to the Denver Post.

Ball re-strained his groin in the Broncos’ loss Sunday at St. Louis and will miss two to three weeks, the Post reported, citing two anonymous NFL sources. Another Denver running back, Ronnie Hillman, is expected to miss the Broncos’ game Sunday against Miami because of a midfoot injury, according to the Post. There’s no word on whether he’ll return for the Chiefs game.

But tight end Julius Thomas, who missed the final three quarters at St. Louis following an ankle sprain, has not been ruled out of Sunday’s game against Miami.

Chiefs injury report

▪ Receiver A.J. Jenkins (shoulder) and cornerback Chris Owens (knee) did not practice for the second straight day Tuesday.

▪ Receiver Donnie Avery (groin), who has missed the last five games, practiced on a limited basis Tuesday after sitting out Monday.

▪ Tight end Anthony Fasano, who missed the Chiefs’ win over Seattle on Sunday because of a knee injury, was limited for the second straight day. Linebacker Tamba Hali, who has not missed a game this season despite a lingering knee injury, was also limited.

▪ Guard Mike McGlynn (knee) was a full participant Tuesday after being limited Monday,

▪ Cornerback Jamell Fleming, who missed the last three games because of a hamstring injury, practiced fully for the second straight day, as did guard Zach Fulton (ankle), cornerback Phillip Gaines (ankle/quad), tight end Travis Kelce (ribs/shoulder) and cornerback Sean Smith (groin).

Raiders injury report

▪ Quarterback Derek Carr, who played in the Raiders’ loss to the Chargers on Sunday, was limited for the second straight day because of a quad injury.

▪ Tight end David Ausberry (foot), cornerback T.J. Carrie (ankle), safety Jonathan Dowling (back) and cornerback Carlos Rogers (knee) all missed practice for the second straight day.

▪ Guard Gabe Jackson (knee) and linebacker Miles Burris (hip) were limited Tuesday.

This story was originally published November 18, 2014 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Chiefs adjust to short week for Thursday night showdown vs. Raiders."