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Chiefs-Raiders Preview

Nov 13, 2009 - 4:14 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

The Kansas Chiefs and Oakland Raiders have been making plenty of headlines the past few weeks, but not for any reasons they'd like.

In a matchup of two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Chiefs will take the field Sunday without Larry Johnson, who was released for making inappropriate comments, against a Raiders team dealing with more allegations of coach Tom Cable's history of violent behavior toward women.

Kansas City (1-7) is set to play its first game without Johnson on its roster since 2002 after the two-time Pro Bowl running back was released Monday. He was initially suspended for posting on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulting followers and questioning the competence of coach Todd Haley.

"We decided it was in the best interests of the Kansas City Chiefs organization to move forward at this time," Haley said.

Johnson, just 75 yards away from breaking Priest Holmes' team rushing record of 6,070, was averaging only 2.7 yards on 132 carries this season and will be replaced by Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith.

Charles got the start last Sunday, rushing for 36 yards on six carries in the Chiefs' 24-21 loss to Jacksonville. Smith, who had knee surgery last year, saw his first action of the season last week, carrying four times for 17 yards.

The beleaguered offense, which averages 278.9 yards per game to rank 30th in the league, took another hit Wednesday when right guard Mike Goff went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

"We'll have to carry on," Haley said. "Injuries are a part of the game. Guys have to step in and get the job done."

Kansas City gained a season-best 409 yards against Oakland on Sept. 20, but lost the turnover battle 2-0 and suffered a 13-10 defeat. The Chiefs led 10-6 until Darren McFadden's five-yard touchdown run with 1:07 remaining.

The Raiders' win over Kansas City in Week 2 was one of the few highlights of the season for Oakland, which hasn't played since a 24-16 loss to San Diego on Nov. 1.

The Raiders (2-6), who haven't swept a season series from the Chiefs since 2001, have scored three touchdowns in the past six games, failed to reach 200 yards of offense in five of eight contests and are the lowest-ranked offense in the NFL, averaging 232.9 yards per game.

Oakland's offensive ineptness has stemmed from the play of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who is completing only 48.4 percent of his passes and has a 48.3 quarterback rating - second-worst in the league. He completed 7 of 24 passes for 109 yards against the Chiefs.

Russell's struggles and the Raiders' game-day woes have been overshadowed at times by Cable's off-field issues.

Former defensive assistant Randy Hanson accused Cable of assaulting him and breaking his jaw during training camp, and in the past few weeks charges were made by Cable's first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

The National Organization for Women called on the Raiders to suspend Cable while the team investigates allegations of his abuse toward women.

Oakland is trying not to get distracted by these accusations, and is focusing on improving an offense that is averaging a dismal 7.5 points in its last six games.

"Everybody is looking for an answer right now," said Louis Murphy, who leads Oakland receivers with 16 catches. "We have to continue to stay together as a team and continue to work hard, and continue in practice to work hard to drill our plays and continue to do what the coaches ask of us. Eventually it's going to come out in the games."

The Raiders' offense is hoping to receive a boost with the expected return of McFadden, wide receiver Chaz Schilens, left guard Robert Gallery and right tackle Cornell Green.