Chiefs at Raiders
THE STORY: Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson has a difficult decision to make in selecting a starting quarterback for Sunday's home game against the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs. He's just glad there actually is a decision to make. Starter Jason Campbell went down with a broken collarbone in last Sunday's 24-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns, leaving Oakland with Kyle Boller to finish the game. Knowing they have a chance to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the Raiders made a deal with Cincinnati for Carson Palmer, who has been sitting at home after vowing never to play for the Bengals again and demanding a trade. Jackson now must decide whether to start Palmer after months of inactivity and a mere four days to learn the offense, or go with Boller and hope for the best as Oakland's bye week follows its matchup with Kansas City.
TV: CBS, 4:05 p.m. ET. LINE: Oakland -4.5, O/U 41.5.
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (2-3): Kansas City is hoping its momentum hasn't been stalled by its bye last week. The Chiefs have won their last two games after starting the season with three straight losses, but the wins came against the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts, who are a combined 1-11. With Jamaal Charles already done for the season with a knee injury, Kansas City is hoping Le'Ron McClain and Jackie Battle can play after suffering neck and head injuries, respectively, against Indianapolis on Oct. 9.
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (4-2): Oakland paid a hefty price to get Palmer, sending next year's first-round draft choice and a conditional pick in 2013 that also could turn into a first-rounder should the Raiders reach the AFC Championship game. If Palmer starts and struggles, Oakland can turn to its running game. Darren McFadden leads the NFL in rushing with 910 yards and has four of the Raiders' league-high 10 rushing touchdowns.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Only three teams (Indianapolis, New Orleans and Carolina) have allowed more points than Oakland and Kansas City, who both have yielded 150. Three clubs (Miami, Jacksonville and St. Louis) have scored fewer points than the Chiefs' 77.
2. The Raiders have won eight straight matchups with fellow AFC West teams.
3. Kansas City has lost five of its last seven meetings with Oakland, including both showdowns last season.