The Oakland Raiders traveled to Kansas City to play the Chiefs in week 16 of the NFL season. With the season winding down, the Raiders needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Fortunately, they got it by the slimmest of margins with a 16-13 overtime win. Fans were thrilled that their hopes to buy playoff Raiders tickets were still alive.
Playoff Implications
Coming into the game, the Raiders trailed the Denver Broncos by one game because the Broncos did their part by getting crushed by the Buffalo Bills in the AFC West. The only hope for the Raiders to make the playoffs was to win their last remaining games while the Broncos lost theirs. Make sure you buy Raiders tickets for the Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers game to cheer the Raiders to victory and ensure them a playoff spot.
First Quarter
The game started with a bang when Raider Bryan McCann returned the opening kickoff 91 yards, but was caught short of the end zone. The Chiefs defense stood tall and was able to limit the Raiders to a field goal. The Chiefs did nothing on their next possession, but Carson Palmer threw the first of his two interceptions on the day in the following drive. The Chiefs were only able to turn it into a field goal and the period ended in a 3-3 tie. It was a very exciting first quarter and I am sure those people that bought Raiders tickets were having a good time.
Second Quarter
The second quarter turned out to be a comedy of errors. Both teams moved the ball a bit, but managed to slam their proverbial thumbs with a hammer whenever the opportunity allowed it. In one sequence, the Raiders intercepted the Chiefs. The Chiefs then intercepted Palmer [again] only to have it called back on a penalty. The Raiders responded to this good fortune by driving down the field and executing a fake field goal for a touchdown…only to have it brought back on a penalty. The half then ended 3-3 when the Raiders blocked a Ryan Succop 49 yard field goal attempt, a moment of foreshadowing if every there was one.
Third Quarter
The third quarter continued the comedy of errors by both teams as they wracked up penalty after penalty, but two significant plays would be made. Carson Palmer connected on a 61 yard pass to Denarius Moore to give the Raiders a touchdown lead before the Chiefs clawed back for a field goal after a 43 year completion from Kyle Orton to Terrance Copper. The quarter ended with the Raiders leading 10-6.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter would start off with the Chiefs charging down field only for Orton to throw another interception. Neither team could get much going because of penalties until the Raiders were able to get a 31-yard field goal to up their lead to 13-6 with three minutes left in the game. Needing only to shut down the Chiefs to secure the win, the Raiders defense promptly fell apart and allowed Kansas City to drive 80 years in five plays for the tying touchdown. The Raiders offense then responded by going three and out with the resulting punt giving the Chiefs the ball on the Kansas City 33 with 16 seconds to play. Raiders tickets holders started to wonder if this would be the end of their playoff chances.
At this point, the game turned. The Raiders defense continued its stunning collapse as it somehow allowed the Chiefs to drive nearly 40 yards to the Raiders 31 yard line in only 2 plays and 11 seconds. The Chiefs trotted out their kicker, Succop, for the game winning field goal only to have defensive lineman Richard Seymour block it to send the game to overtime. Few people can remember the last time they were able to see two blocked field goals in a single game! Those that bought Raiders tickets for this game should feel lucky.
Overtime
The Raiders were fortunate to win the toss in overtime given the state of their defense and seemed to know it. Taking over the ball on his own 24 after the kickoff, Palmer threw deep to Darrius Heyward-Bey on the first play for a 53 yard completion. That put the Raiders on the Kansas City 23. Two Michael Bush runs got them to the 18 yard line where Sebastian Janikowski nailed the game winning 36 yard field goal.
The Raiders had escaped despite a very close game. People interested in buying Raiders tickets should feel lucky that their playoff hopes are still alive
Looking Forward
The Raiders miraculous survival in Kansas City keeps them alive for the division crown in the AFC West and the playoff spot that comes with it. In an interesting twist, the Raiders have to hope that the Chiefs team they just beat can travel to Denver and defeat the Broncos. If the Broncos lose and the Raiders beat a dispirited San Diego Chargers, the Raiders will win the division. Any other result and fans will be disappointed that they cant buy playoff Raiders tickets.
