Chiefs vs Raiders inactives: Which players are scratches for Week 8?

Let's take a look at the players who are in and out for the Raiders' game against the Chiefs in Week 8.

If the Las Vegas Raiders are going to make any noise at all this season, this week has to be it. There's no more time. If the Raiders can't take advantage of a home meeting against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, then there's absolutely no hope for anything meaningful for the rest of the year.

Let's set up the stakes: the Chiefs are 6-0 and in first place in the entire conference by a fairly comfortable margin (especially so early) as the league's only unbeaten team. They also already have a multiple-game lead in the AFC West, and it looks like they'll be coasting to their ninth consecutive division title. Yeah, nine straight years.

As for the Raiders, they're 2-5 and sitting 4.5 games out from the division lead. They occupy the basement and clearly look like the the worst team of the four engaged in the competition for the West. Even if you have them chasing wild card glory instead of a division title, they're still 3 games under .500 while rotating quarterbacks after having traded away their best pass catcher at the deadline—a signal that they've given up on the year.

Now, Antonio Pierce won't tell you that much. He's a fiery head coach who was a fiery player and his demeanor can get his players ready to play at higher-than-expected ceilings—especially against a rival. The Raiders will need to summon such an internal fire this week, because if not, they're looking at a 2-6 record at the season's midpoint and likely more sales to come before the November 5 trade deadline.

Given the stakes. the inactive lists for this week are important to consider because it will tell us which players feel healthy enough to play and which fell short. That's vital in a week where stars like Jakobi Meyers and Maxx Crosby have missed practice for the Raiders.

The Chiefs are already out defensive end Mike Danna and wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster for Week 8 and the Chiefs are hoping to get them back in short order. For this week, however, they are out which means KC is a bit more vulnerable on the edge. K.C. is hoping the addition of DeAndre Hopkins via trade will stop the bleeding on offense caused by Smith-Schuster's absence.

Chiefs' list of inactive players for Week 8

• JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
• Mike Danna, DE
• CJ Hanson, OL
• Ethan Driskell, OT
• Marlon Tuipulotu, OL

Raiders' list of inactive players for Week 8

• Harrison Bryant, TE
• Dylan Laube, RB
• Sam Webb, CB
• Tyreik McAllister, WR
• Dylan Parham, OL
• Zach Carter, DT
• Kana'i Mauga, WR