Raiders at Chiefs - Week 9 - Record: 5-3

Struggling to get down for that game-tying field goal in the final seconds, Trent Green whips a pass out to Larry Johnson who rambles 36 yards but barely can't get into the end zone. Faced with the choice between a field goal to send it into overtime and going for it from the one-yard line, Vermeil decides for the latter and Johnson pounds it in for the score.

It can't get any more exciting than that. Another clutch win over the Raiders.

Thing is, it should never have been that exciting. We had taken command of the game at the beginning of the 4th quarter, leading 20-9, and had the Raiders in a 4th and long situation when Jared Allen gets a stupid roughing the passer penalty, then gets a personal foul penalty by mouthing off, and then costs us a time-out when we have to tell him to get out on the field. This is one of those banes of being a fan. Allen has definitely helped this defense, but what do you do with a guy like that, a terrific player who can get you in serious trouble with idiotic moves like this one. Aaaagh!

When are we going to get a break on the schedule from facing world-class receivers. It was Terrell Owens a few weeks ago, then Antonio Gates last week, this week it was Randy Moss (and I might even say Jerry Porter is pretty great). Even with his groin injury Moss burned us for a touchdown. Hopefully it will only serve to toughen up the defense that has improved from last year, but we absolutely can't afford any Jared Allen-type antics to mess up what we do have going.