A showdown between the Chiefs and Raiders looked like one of the best regular season games of 2017 back in August. After Oakland’s 2-4 start, however, Week 7’s matchup isn’t about who will win the AFC West, but whether the Raiders can turn their season around and return to the postseason. The two teams meet on Thursday Night Football at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on NFL Network and CBS (live stream).
Chiefs vs. Raiders 2017: Start time, TV schedule for ‘Thursday Night Football’
Oakland needs a win on Thursday night, but the odds are against them.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland, trying to capitalize on last year’s 12-win campaign, has spun out of control with four straight losses against teams ranking from solid (Washington, Denver) to questionable (Baltimore, Los Angeles Chargers). Kansas City, on the other hand, will be looking for redemption after suffering its first loss of the season against Pittsburgh last week.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.
- TV: NFL Network and CBS
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
- Odds: Kansas City is favored by 2.5 points.
Chiefs at Raiders news:
- NaVorro Bowman is now a Raider, which should provide an immediate — if limited -- boost to the Oakland defense.
Bowman joins a Raiders team that could use some help defensively. They rank 23rd in the NFL in total defense, and desperately need help at the linebacker position. Their fifth-round pick from the 2017 draft, Marquel Lee, is injured. Behind Lee are Tyrell Adams and undrafted free agent rookie Nicholas Morrow. So Bowman’s experience will immediately come in handy, even if he isn’t the player he once was.
- The Chiefs’ comeback attempt against the Steelers failed in part to some crazy Pittsburgh bounces.
- If Charcandrick West can’t play Thursday due to a concussion, it will have a major impact on Kansas City’s pass blocking.
West is the Chiefs backup running back but he is a good pass blocker as we noticed last week with the block of his career. Kareem Hunt will continue to take the lion’s share of the reps against the Raiders but the Chiefs would sometimes bring West in for obvious passing downs because of his blocking ability.
- The Raiders have no interceptions through six games, which is historically bad.
For all the focus the Raiders made on the secondary in the draft and with the hire of John Pagano to be Assistant Head Coach - Defense, it has yet to yield a single interception. And we’re six games in.
If you’re thinking that seems like some kind of record, you’re kinda right. Only two other teams in NFL history have had zero interceptions at this point in the season.
Is Derek Carr’s back healthy enough for him to thrive?
Carr played his way into MVP consideration last fall before a broken leg doomed Oakland’s postseason aspirations. In 2017, a back fracture may be what sinks the young quarterback. Carr returned quickly from the injury after missing only one start, but he performed poorly (171 yards, two interceptions) in last week’s loss to the Chargers. Oakland needs him at the top of his game to game with the Chiefs.
Chiefs at Raiders prediction:
The Chiefs are the team most of our experts took in their Week 7 picks. Only Stephen White took the Raiders, while everyone else, including OddsShark’s computer, took KC to win.
Kareem Hunt’s NFL debut almost didn’t happen
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