Oakland Raiders Win In Kansas City

#20 Darren McFadden sprinting away from Chiefs defenders.

If ever there was a team of players waiting for their Coaches to catch on, that team is the 2012 Oakland Raiders. I was so frustrated in the play calling and execution during the Jaguars game in week 7, that I left the coliseum early. It had become too painful to watch the ineptness of good talent being wasted. Of course they won the game in overtime with a fumble recovery and Janowski kick, but I'm so damn tired of cheering for Janowski kicks all Sunday long.

This recent win in week 8 at Kansas City against the Chiefs saw the same through much of the game; defense doing a decent job while waiting for the running game to mesh and the receiving game to become more consistent. With the return of Denarius Moore from injury, our passing attack is beginning to look more dangerous. But even Moore, who had an early 38-yd romp after the catch, dropped a few that should've been caught.

Then just before halftime special teams recovered a muffed Chiefs punt and quarterback Carson Palmer found Moore in the back of the end zone for a 9-yd touchdown. Raiders 13, Chiefs 6.

The second half saw the no-huddle, a Darrius Heyward-Bey touchdown sprint and running back Darren McFadden breaking free and looking like his 2011 version self.

As stated earlier, I believe the players are waiting for the coaches to give them a gameplan with more meat to chew on.  Running McFadden straight into the line when everyone knows he's getting the ball just isn't working. Not with that O-Line.  Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp is slowly realizing that. You don't have to abandon the running game, just the predictability of where your running and when.

Good news is that the Raiders are tied with the sinking Chargers for second in the division at 3-4, one game back of the Broncos.  The Raiders have not conceded the AFC West to Peyton Manning just yet.  And from the looks of it, the silver and black just might finish the first half of the season at .500 with plenty of football left to play.  Just Win Baby! Just Win.

Final Score
Raiders 26
Chiefs 16