For the first time in years, a regular season game between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs meant something. The two teams own the top two running games in the NFL and going into this game on Week 9 both found themselves surprise playoff contenders.

The Raiders came into this game playing without their top defensive player, Nnamdi Asomugha, and starting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and were looking to start 3-0 in the division for the first time since 2001.

Living up to the hype, this game turned into a thriller with Raiders placekicker Sebastian Janikowski nailing a 41-yarder at the end of regulation time to send the game into overtime.

The Chiefs got the ball to start the OT but after a three and out, set the stage for Oakland’s biggest win in years. After quarterback Jason Campbell hit Jacoby Ford for a 47 yard completion, the Raiders were suddenly in Janikowski’s range. He responded by knocking a 33-yarder through the uprights giving the Raiders a 23-20 win.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Chiefs jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a Matt Cassel to Verran Tucker connection in the end zone. Taking a play out of their old playbook, the Raiders fumbled the ball away on their next drive allowing the Chiefs to convert it for three and take a 10-0 lead into the half.

Down 10-0, Oakland got the jump start they needed at the start of the third quarter when rookie Jacoby Ford returned the second half opening kickoff 94 yards to the house.

The Raiders now sit just a half game back of the Chiefs in the division, and have won three games in a row with Campbell as the starter. Bruce Gradkowski is set to return following the teams bye week, and Tom Cable will have to make a decision on who to start.

Jacoby Ford was the player of the game, finishing with a kickoff return for a TD and 148 receiving yards. He had two huge catches to set up the Raiders’ game tying and game winning field goals.

The Raiders and Chiefs will meet again in Week 17 in a game that could determine the division winner. Who would have thought that at the start on this 2010 NFL season?

Used with permission of the author.

Along with contributing to Sports Climax, Brett Kettyle is the Atlanta Braves Community Leader on Bleacher Report and maintains a Braves column for MTR Media. Follow Brett on Twitter.

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