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Chiefs aim for ninth straight victory over Raiders

Oct 21, 2007 - 10:30 AM Kansas City (3-3) at Oakland (2-3) Sunday 4:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders goes back to the American Football League's inaugural season in 1960. Lately, it has been one-sided in the Chiefs' favor.

On Sunday, Kansas City looks to become the first team to win nine straight games against Oakland when the rivals meet for the 97th time.

In recent seasons, the Raiders have been fodder for all AFC West opponents. Last week, they dropped their 16th straight game to a division foe with a 28-14 loss in San Diego.

While the Chiefs have not lost to the Raiders in the last four seasons, seven of the eight games have been decided by six points or less. The only exception was Kansas City's 20-9 victory here last year.

After an 0-2 start, the Chiefs have won three of their last four games to tie the Chargers (3-3) atop the AFC West.

Kansas City's defense has been solid all year, joining Jacksonville as the only teams to hold every opponent under 20 points this season. The Chiefs also are tied with Philadelphia for the league lead in sacks with 19.

Now, Kansas City hopes it has Larry Johnson, the NFL's No. 2 rusher last season, back on track.

After being held to a combined 230 yards in the Chiefs' first five games, Johnson, ran for 119 yards on 31 carries in last week's 27-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also scored his first touchdown of the season.

In consecutive weeks, the Raiders will be facing last season's top two rushers who combined for than 3,600 yards in 2006.

LaDainian Tomlinson broke loose for 198 yards and four rushing touchdowns last week against Oakland, which was denied its first three-game winning streak since 2002.

Chiefs coach Herman Edwards, who is 5-1 against the Raiders, worked with Oakland coach Lane Kiffin's father when he was in Tampa Bay. The elder Kiffin served as Edwards' defensive coordinator from 1966-2000.