KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders go head-to-head in a key AFC West battle at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday.
WATCH LIVE: NBC Sports Online
Temperature in Kansas City is down to 24° but the players are well bundled up and ready to go.
Action on the pitch could be very tricky for both sets of players as the condition is not only cold but quite windy as well.
Expect the ball to do some movement.
RAIDERS ROLLING
Raiders (10-2) head into this game on the back of six straight wins and sit at the top of the AFC West division but will take on a Chiefs side that has been equally impressive in recent fixtures.
Derek Carr and Oakland were beaten 26-10 by the Chiefs at home in Week 6 and will want to return the favour in this road matchup.
Carr, who is currently leading the way for the MVP award, along with Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack are expected to provide the main punch for the road team.
Meanwhile, Kansas City (9-3) has won two straight and seven of the last eight.
Chiefs experienced quarterback Alex Smith doesn’t have eye-popping numbers this season but when he needs to influence, he usually finds a way.
When these two teams last met Kansas City shut out Carr and the Raiders’ offense in the second half to disappoint the home fans.
Smith also enjoyed his time in the first meeting between the two sides on Oct 16 after completing 19 passes for 224 yards.
He completed 86-percent of his passes for a new Chiefs record.
Meanwhile, as expected, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (groin) and defensive tackle Dontari Poe (back) both start for Kansas City tonight.
The Raiders are searching for their first division title since 2002 and a win against the Chiefs tonight would give them a two-game lead over Kansas City and certainly put them in the great position to the AFC West.
