Palmer makes a clean getaway from Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – There were statistics that provided insight into how the Raiders' offensive line performed Sunday, but quarterback Carson Palmer wanted to talk laundry.

"I don't think my jersey needs to be washed," Palmer said after Oakland's 26-16 win over Kansas City on Sunday.

A week after Jacksonville's front seven got the better of the Raiders up front, the Chiefs were essentially stonewalled.

Outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, who entered the game with 10 sacks combined, were nonfactors against left tackle Jared Veldheer and right tackle Willie Smith. The Chiefs got little push up the middle.

Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp called for maximum protection schemes that kept the Chiefs outnumbered, and Palmer wasn't sacked.

"Our offensive line did an outstanding job as far as protecting the quarterback," coach Dennis Allen said. "They're banged up pretty good right now. I was proud of the way they competed for four quarters."

Center Stefen Wisniewski said the line as a unit felt much better walking off the field against Kansas City than it did against Jacksonville, even though both were wins.

"Keeping Carson clean is super important for us, and their D-ends are some of the best in the league," Wisniewski said. "They (have) high sack numbers, and to keep those guys off of Carson all game is huge for us."

Equally gratifying was helping the Raiders control the game in the fourth quarter on the ground, with Darren McFadden gaining 73 yards on 12 carries in the period to finish with 114 yards on 29 attempts.

"Running the ball and running it well is pretty boring for a crowd, and if you can have those long, slow drives, it will quiet them," Wisniewski said.

McFadden's second 100-yard game of the season started slowly. He had 12 carries for 17 yards at halftime.

"It took us awhile to get going, but we finished the game out well," McFadden said. "With our offense, you have to stick with it. You're going to get one or two yards here and there, and eventually they're going to start popping."

Forcing the issue – The Raiders came up with four turnovers as the Chiefs increased their league-leading total to 25.

Matt Giordano had an interception against Brady Quinn to set up a Sebastian Janikowski field goal, and Pat Lee had an interception against Matt Cassel in the second half deep in Raiders territory, the first of his five-year career.

Both fumble recoveries were essentially gifts: a muffed punt by Javier Arenas recovered by Jon Condo and a fumbled snap by Cassel recovered by Tommy Kelly.

Big-play man – Wide receiver Denarius Moore has caught touchdown passes in three consecutive games and established himself as Palmer's target for big plays.

"Everyone knows that he's the man in our locker room, but I don't know if guys around the league know about him yet," Palmer said. "He's young and has had some injuries but is finally healthy."

Janikowski's K.C. success – Janikowski went 4 for 4 on field goals, making him 32 for 36 at Arrowhead Stadium. Two of those misses came in his first game as a rookie in 2000.

He did miss from 37 yards in the fourth quarter, only to get a second chance because the Chiefs were offside. He converted from 32 yards.

"That's 'Seabass' in Arrowhead," Condo said. "He's almost automatic here."

Containing Charles – The Chiefs' Jamaal Charles had only five carries for four yards, seemingly perplexing coach Romeo Crennel.

"I'm not exactly sure," Crennel said. "We were rotating our backs in there. (Peyton) Hillis was back, and he was able to get some carries."

• Read more articles by Jerry McDonald

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