By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star
Updated: 2012-12-15T05:24:34Z
JOHN SLEEZER | The Kansas City Star
With wide receiver Dwayne Bowe out of the Chiefs' lineup, the Raiders' defense will be looking for the run on Sunday.
The Chiefs’ game on Sunday at Oakland will be their first since December 2009 without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in the lineup, so the game plan against the Raiders will be pretty obvious.
“Everybody knows we’re going to run the ball with 25 back there,” offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said of running back Jamaal Charles.“In terms of (receivers) creating separation, (quarterbacks) making accurate throws, holding up in protection, we need to do a good job. Dwayne was a big part of the passing game obviously. Everybody else is going to have to chip in and make sure they’re doing their jobs really well.”Bowe, who suffered an injury to his ribs while blocking downfield last week at Cleveland, leads the Chiefs with 59 receptions for 801 yards and three touchdowns.“Dwayne was a big key to this offense,” said slot receiver Dexter McCluster, who is second on the team with 41 receptions. He’s a guy that’s very dependable that we are really going to miss. He made plays for us. But right now, as a group, it’s our job to step up and make plays."Stanzi will still sitThere’s some talk in Oakland about giving second-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor getting an opportunity to play for the Raiders during the final three games of what is now a 3-10 season.Don’t expect the Chiefs, who are 2-11, to look at their second-year quarterback, Ricky Stanzi, as they play out the string. Trying to salvage some wins is taking precedence over developing young players to a coaching staff that may not be around in 2013.“It depends on several things,” Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said Friday of playing Stanzi, a fifth-round draft pick in 2011 who has been active for four games this season but has yet to take a snap. “It depends on injuries; it depends on how we try to finish up … and I don’t know that we’ll just throw him out there to see what we have. “If we feel like he’s the best guy, or he gives us the best chance, then, that’s his best chance.”None of Oakland’s remaining three games — against the Chiefs and at Carolina and at San Diego — have playoff implications, which would make it easier for the Raiders to look at Pryor. The Chiefs’ last two games will be against Indianapolis and Denver, two teams battling for playoff positions, so if Stanzi would ever merit getting a look, Sunday’s game would be it unless the Broncos are locked into a playoff spot on the final week of the season.Wildcat memoriesChiefs cornerback Javier Arenas scored a touchdown on a 7-yard run from the wildcat formation in the Chiefs’ 28-0 win at Oakland last year. But Arenas, who was the nickel cornerback a year ago but now the starting right corner and punt returner, doesn’t expect history to repeat on Sunday.“No probably not,” Arenas said of playing the wildcat. “I’m just focused on the defensive side of the ball and, of course, the special-teams phase of the game, and try to execute those things before I try to go to the offensive side.”Injury updateBowe is the only Chiefs player who has been ruled out for Sunday. Backup safety Abe Elam (quadriceps) is doubtful; offensive tackle Branden Albert (back), center Ryan Lilja (knee) and guard Jon Asamoah (guard) are questionable. The Raiders said defensive lineman Richard Seymour (knee/hamstring) and safety Tyvon Branch (neck/ankle) were questionable.
To reach Randy Covitz, call 816-234-4796 or send email to rcovitz@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/randycovitz.
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