Chiefs schedule release 2015: Breaking down every matchup

Week 17: Oakland Raiders

Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) regains his footing after intercepting a pass against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

We meet again. The Raiders might be out of the playoff picture at this point, and hopefully not all that motivated for the Chiefs. On second thought, this rivalry will be more than enough motivation, so buckle your chinstraps.

Kansas City took care of business last year when the two teams had a rematch, winning 31-13 at Arrowhead Stadium behind De’Anthony Thomas and Alex Smith. The Chiefs will need this game in all likelihood, battling for a potential playoff spot in a crowded AFC. The Raiders will be a tough out, simply because every divisional opponent is.

Expect Smith to be throwing early and often in this game, something he did to perfection in Kansas City’s victory over Oakland. The Raiders struggle to cover, and with Jeremy Maclin now in the fold, that could spell doom. The Chiefs have struggled in past years to win within the AFC West. That must change if they are going to make noise in 2015.