Divisional Rivals
In the AFC West division, the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders, and Denver Broncos are bound by fierce rivalries. But among them, the animosity between the Chiefs and the Raiders stands out as the most intense. Their feud isn't just the most famous in the AFC West; it's one of the most bitter and enduring rivalries in the history of the NFL's Super Bowl era.
From the moment the NFL was established, the Chiefs and Raiders have shared the same division. Despite numerous realignments over the years, they've never been separated. But it wasn't until 1967 that the seeds of true hatred were planted.
That year, Kansas City lost its Major League Baseball team, the Athletics, when they relocated to Oakland. For two years, Kansas City had no professional baseball team until the Royals were founded in 1969. The loss of the Athletics left a void, sparking an underlying rivalry between the two cities.
Coincidentally, during the 1968 season, both the Chiefs and Raiders finished the regular season with 12-2 records. They met in the playoffs to determine who would advance to the AFL Championship game. The Raiders crushed the Chiefs, 41-6, igniting the start of their bitter feud.
As time passed, the tension between the two teams only grew.
In 1970, the rivalry escalated to violence on the field. Raiders defensive end Ben Davidson delivered a knee to Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson's helmet after Dawson had already secured a first down. That illegal hit sparked an all-out brawl.
At the time, NFL rules nullified Kansas City's first down due to the subsequent brawl, and the Chiefs ultimately settled for a tie instead of a win. That tie cost them a playoff berth and allowed the Raiders to take their spot.
The incident forced the league to change its rules, ensuring that a defensive penalty would no longer negate an offensive first down.
By 1975, the rivalry had reached new heights. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 42-10, and after each touchdown, Kansas City's mascot would run a lap around the field to celebrate. Raiders head coach John Madden lost his temper and reportedly attacked the mascot after the game. He later refused to apologize during the post-game press conference.
In 1999, former Chiefs quarterback Rich Gannon, now playing for the Raiders, led Oakland to a last-second victory at Arrowhead Stadium, knocking Kansas City out of playoff contention.
And these are just a few notable highlights from their long history.
In 2007, the Chiefs ended a nine-game Raiders winning streak. In 2014, the Raiders broke a 16-game losing streak by defeating the Chiefs.
Back and forth, blow for blow, neither team gives an inch.
What's remarkable about their rivalry is the way both teams seem to tap into an extra gear whenever they face each other. Even if one team is struggling, they can somehow muster the energy to drag their rival down from the top.
Both sides particularly relish playing spoiler on the road. The Chiefs once enjoyed a seven-game winning streak in Oakland, while the Raiders boasted a six-game winning streak at Arrowhead Stadium.
And this year is no different.
Despite their early struggles, the Raiders found new life when they faced the Chiefs. Quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Amari Cooper both delivered their best performances of the season, helping Oakland snap Kansas City's six-game winning streak.
For the Raiders, the Chiefs' misery was their joy.
That's the simplicity of this rivalry.
Since their Week 7 clash, the Chiefs have spiraled into a five-game losing streak, while the Raiders have gone 3-2 in their last five games.
Heading into their upcoming rematch at Arrowhead Stadium, the Raiders are the team in better form. Unlike most teams that struggle on the road, the Raiders thrive in Kansas City, eager to cause chaos.
For the Chiefs, this game is do-or-die — literally.
The stakes couldn't be higher.
This isn't just a revenge game; it's a battle that will likely shape the playoff picture in the AFC West.
Currently, the Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers all sit at 6-6. With the Broncos far behind at 3-9, the division title is still very much up for grabs.
A win could keep a team's playoff hopes alive, while a loss could spell the end of their season. The difference between 7-6 and 6-7 is the difference between hope and despair.
The pressure is suffocating, especially for Kansas City.
The Chiefs' bold moves during the draft — including their controversial selection of Lance — sparked endless debate. If they miss the playoffs, those decisions will be ridiculed as colossal failures.
Lance, in particular, will find himself under intense scrutiny.
No matter how impressive his stats are, the narrative could shift against him simply because of his position.
Unlike quarterbacks, linebackers, defensive ends, or wide receivers, running backs are rarely credited with changing the outcome of a game. Instead, they're often scapegoated when things go wrong.
Critics will say things like:
"He put up great numbers, but he couldn't help the team win."
"If the result is the same, what's the difference between a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick?"
"The Chiefs should've used that cap space on a wide receiver instead of a running back."
And history backs them up.
Even the greatest running backs — Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Le'Veon Bell — never carried their teams to a Super Bowl victory.
The most glaring example is Marshawn Lynch. Despite his legendary status, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll infamously chose to pass the ball rather than hand it off to Lynch in the closing moments of Super Bowl XLIX.
That's the harsh reality Lance faces.
If the Chiefs miss the playoffs, he'll be the one shouldering the blame.
With all these factors converging, the upcoming rematch between the Chiefs and Raiders is set to be explosive.
Tensions have already started boiling over.
The catalyst? Amari Cooper.
The Raiders' star receiver, who played a pivotal role in their Week 7 victory, has been more than happy to stir the pot.
"Kansas City's secondary is overrated. They folded early last time," Cooper taunted. "Maybe they should spend less time practicing under cheerleaders' skirts and more time learning how to defend."
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Powerstones?
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