Oakland Raiders Feature Kansas City Chiefs' First Test Against Momentum

The experts are split. The Kansas City Chiefs are the toast of the AFC West with their unexpected record at 5-2 and the developing formation of New England West as so many put it. The Oakland Raiders, on the other hand, are relevant again and one of the NFL's most storied franchises might be on the rebound. At least according to the complete annihilation they've laid on their last two opponents. Needless to say, few believed this mid-season contest between Oakland and Kansas City would feature the powers atop the AFC West.

For Kansas City, this road trip to Oakland offers the first contest featuring any kind of momentum from the other side. Momentum, as we've seen, is a beautiful thing for a franchise. When the scales refuse to budge in any direction, they seem to eventually give way for the team with the momentum. We most recently saw this principle displayed in last week's Chiefs-Bills contest where the Bills found a way to lose and/or the Chiefs found a way to win. Even in a game of ugly football, someone has to win and the Chiefs have been riding such momentum all season.

This isn't about luck. Teams create their own momentum. Good coaching. Strong conditioning. Excellent adjustments. Sheer talent. It's all part of the equation that equals momentum, but the Raiders will have it in spades as they prepare to host Kansas City. And the Chiefs, for the first time in eight games, are going to have to figure a way to break through that wall.

When the Chiefs met the Colts, the Colts were 2-2 and fresh off a close loss to the Jags. Speaking of Jacksonville, they'd just lost to Tennessee by 27 before coming to Arrowhead. The Texans, meanwhile, had just been obliterated by the Giants 34-10. And nothing needs to be said of the Browns, 49ers or Bills -- each of whom were winless when facing the Chiefs.

So the Raiders present the first contest in which both teams have the chemistry and confidence that comes with momentum in the NFL. The Chiefs, even after the unimpressive performance against the Bills, have it as well. (You don't lead a division at 5-2 without it.) And someone will limp away from the Oakland Coliseum on Sunday evening without it. The collision will be fierce, but that's what makes good football -- and a great test for the Kansas City Chiefs.