Oakland Raiders-Kansas City Chiefs: Game keys and who will win AFC West matchup

Oakland Raiders-Kansas City Chiefs: Week 13 game preview

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, o.Co Coliseum, Oakland - TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl

*Keys to the game: QB Derek Carr has six 300-yard games but to puncture the Chiefs' well-rounded defense, the Raiders are going to require more from a rushing attack stuck in neutral. Latavius Murray averaged 2.5 yards per carry over the past two games and Kansas City is deep and active in the front seven, enough so to withstand the absence of LB Justin Houston (knee). Murray has 765 yards, second in the AFC, and had 27 carries for 198 yards - including a 90-yard touchdown - in two games against the Chiefs in 2014. The Raiders have solid receivers but Kansas City's coverage crew has elevated its play of late.

The Chiefs are going for six consecutive wins only because their defense has destroyed everything in front of it, allowing four touchdowns in the past five games, while QB Alex Smith cruises along without back-breaking mistakes. Kansas City's offensive line is the other storyline, and one easily forgotten after critics piled on amidst early-season struggles.

Last week, RB Spencer Ware went for 114 yards and Charcandrick West, who had been the understudy for Jamaal Charles, is averaging 119 yards per game in the past month. With all the attention paid to the running game, the Raiders must also contend with WR Jeremy Maclin, who has stepped up as a major difference-maker.

*Matchup to watch - Chiefs LT Eric Fisher vs. Raiders LB Khalil Mack: Fisher returned to practice after being hampered by a neck injury just in time to draw Mack, the NFL's top-rated outside linebacker according to Pro Football Focus. Mack is facing constant double-team attention since bookend pass rusher Aldon Smith was suspended.

*Player spotlight - Raiders WR Seth Roberts: He set career-highs with six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns last week, and slot receivers or third options have been a bugaboo for the Chiefs this season.

*Fast facts: Maclin is one of three NFL players with three 140-plus-yard receiving games this season. ... Smith's current streak of 283 passes without an interception is the fourth-longest in NFL history.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Chiefs roll on by overwhelming the Raiders' offensive line and getting more production from their no-name backfield.

*Our pick: Chiefs 27-16