AP News, December 24th, 2006
Eddie Kennison caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Trent Green on Kansas City's opening drive, and the Chiefs took a 10-3 lead over the Oakland Raiders after the first quarter Saturday night.
Three straight losses have reduced the Chiefs' playoff hopes to a faint prayer, depending on a big series of breaks in other AFC games. But Kansas City still hoped to finish its season strong in the annual visit to the Black Hole _ and with one more win, the Chiefs could become the first team ever to beat the miserable Raiders eight straight times.
Larry Johnson had just 17 yards rushing for the Chiefs, though his quest for the NFL rushing title is nearly as much of a long shot as Kansas City's postseason chances. Johnson entered the night with 1,516 yards rushing, second in the league behind San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (1,626).
Lawrence Tynes kicked a 29-yard field goal on the Chiefs' second drive, giving them as many points as they scored in either of their last two losses.
With no motivation except pride and draft position in their home finale, the Raiders played without injured mainstays Randy Moss, LaMont Jordan, Jerry Porter and Aaron Brooks, yet made a surprisingly strong drive.
The Raiders committed turnovers on the opening drives of their last three games, but Walter and Justin Fargas moved Oakland smartly down the field against the Chiefs, capping a nine-play, 57-yard drive with Sebastian Janikowski's 25-yard field goal.
Warren Sapp, dismayed by his omission from the Pro Bowl despite an impressive season, thought he had capped the Raiders' opening defensive stand by burying Green on a third-down pass attempt, nearly forcing a fumble that was ruled an incomplete pass.
But Green then hit Samie Parker for a 24-yard completion on fourth-and-8, and Kennison caught a 6-yard TD pass in tight coverage moments later. Kansas City had scored just one touchdown in its previous two games.
The Raiders waited until their second drive for their first turnover, when Kawika Mitchell's vicious sack separated Walter from the ball at midfield.
Brooks was held out of the starting lineup with a neck injury, and Andrew Walter made his eighth start of the season. Moss, Jordan and Porter all might never play another home game for the Raiders, who have many tough personnel decisions waiting in the offseason.
There aren't many motivations left for the Raiders (2-12), who would set the franchise record for most losses in a single season with two more losses. The 1962 Oakland squad went 1-13 _ and a coach named Al Davis arrived a few days later.
Oakland, which has lost 13 straight to its AFC West opponents, hoped to avoid its second straight winless season in division play.
