Kansas City Chiefs Rewatch: 2009 week ten vs Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs had just one win nine weeks into the 2009 season. Would they be able to capture win number two against the Oakland Raiders?
As we continue to hope the curve flattens, I’ll watch a Kansas City Chiefs game from 2009 and discuss what I witnessed. The latest rewatch was the second match-up between the Chiefs and Raiders with the first taking place in week two and Oakland winning it on a last minute touchdown pass.
Since that game, the Raiders won another game and the Chiefs captured their first win. Neither were making the playoffs, but whenever the Chiefs and Raiders face off, throw out the records because it’s almost always a close game between these two.
So, how did week ten against the Raiders in the Black Hole go?
Related Story. Chiefs Rewatch: Week 9 vs Jaguars. light
WEEK 10 VS OAKLAND RAIDERS: NOVEMBER 15TH, 2009
The Chiefs had won the last six match-ups against the Raiders in Oakland and were hoping to make it seven straight. Both teams rocked throwback uniforms while the refs donned their candy cane striped outfits. That didn’t look like it’d happen early on, as Oakland immediately got down the field and put the ball in the end zone.
This was made possible by Michael Bush breaking off a 60-yard run that was stopped on the KC four-yard line. Two plays later, Justin Fargas bulldozed his way into the end zone and just like that, Oakland led 7-0.
With how poorly the Chiefs offense looked throughout the 2009 season, they didn’t back down. Even with a bad call that prevented them from getting a first down, the Chiefs kept at it. Going into this game, they hadn’t recorded a rushing touchdown all season and while their defense played decently, allowing big plays like the one they gave up to Bush right away would end up being what killed this team throughout the season.
Luckily, this game was different and the Chiefs kept fighting.
After not scoring a rushing touchdown all season long, Jamaal Charles busted through on a fourth down conversion that ended up being a 44-yard touchdown. Not only was it Kansas City’s first rushing touchdown of the season, but it was actually Charles’ first rushing touchdown of his career as well (he had a receiving touchdown as a rookie).
That touchdown tied the game at 10 and from there, the mood really seemed to be whoever could score next – even if it was just a field goal – would probably be the winners because both offenses had struggled all season.
Right before half time, the Chiefs had the ball on Oakland’s seven-yard line and had been clicking on that series. On first and goal, Matt Cassel fumbled the snap and nearly lost the ball, which would have been KC’s third turnover of the afternoon. On second and goal, Cassel and Charles bumped into each other on the exchange and the play went for no gain.
It was a disastrous series and the touchdown would have essentially ensured the Chiefs a victory. Yes, even with it not being half time yet. That’s how bad Oakland’s offense was. Instead, it was 13-10 at the half.
The broadcasters kept mentioning how the Raiders were not a come from behind team. That seemed like a silly comment to Chiefs fans, however, as they saw Oakland come from behind just eight weeks earlier in Arrowhead.
Then, after finally benching former first round pick JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders made a solid attempt at winning the game in the final few minutes. Bruce Gradkowski was the backup quarterback and he gave it all he had, but a game-sealing interception by Mike Brown allowed the Chiefs to win their second game of the season.
REMEMBER THAT GUY?
- As mentioned, JaMarcus Russell was benched in the fourth quarter after going just eight of 23 for 64 yards and was relieved by Bruce Gradkowski, who went five of nine for 49 yards and was picked off twice. Even with the two picks, Gradkowski almost led Oakland to victory.
- Michael Bush had 60 yards on the second play of the game and finished with 119 yards off of 14 carries. Justin Fargas had 41 yards and a touchdown.
- Mike Brown had both of Gradkowski’s interceptions.
- Alex Magee had a rare Chiefs sack.
Both the Chiefs and the Raiders sat at 2-7 when the final whistle blew and it was obvious that neither was going anywhere good in 2019. The Chiefs had some decent drives in this one, but they continued to struggle on third down, sitting as the worst team in the league at converting on third down.
Since I was unable to watch the Chiefs’ win over Washington in week six, this was the first victory I saw for the 2009 team and while it wasn’t all positive, a win is a win.
Plus – A win over the Oakland Raiders is even sweeter.