National Football League

Chiefs get 6 INTs in 28-0 win over Raiders

Published Oct. 24, 2011 5:20 a.m. ET

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Carson Palmer played like a quarterback who was sitting on his couch less than a week ago thinking he was retired.

The problem for the Oakland Raiders was that starter Kyle Boller didn't look any better.

Kendrick Lewis returned one of Boller's three interceptions for a touchdown and Brandon Flowers took back one of Palmer's three picks for another score to help the Kansas City Chiefs beat Oakland 28-0 Sunday for their most lopsided road win ever against the Raiders.

''It's been a very surreal week,'' said Palmer, who was acquired from Cincinnati on Tuesday and then thrown into action in the third quarter after Boller's rough start.

Boller became the first Raiders quarterback in 13 years to throw three interceptions in the first half, including Lewis' 59-yard score on the first drive of the game for Oakland (4-3). Palmer relieved in the second half and threw three more interceptions, including one that Flowers returned 58 yards.

It was that kind of day all around for the Raiders, who also lost star running back Darren McFadden to a foot injury early in the first quarter.

''It was just an awful feeling walking off the field to be beat like that in the fashion that we were beat,'' Palmer said. ''We need to regroup.''

Cornerback Javier Arenas and Le'Ron McClain each added touchdown runs for the Chiefs (3-3) on a day the Kansas City offense didn't have to do much at all.

After being outscored 89-10 in lopsided losses to Buffalo and Detroit to open the season, the defending AFC West champion Chiefs have won three straight to get back into contention in the division race. While the wins came against cellar dwellers Minnesota and Indianapolis and a banged-up Raiders team missing its leading passer, scorer and rusher for most of the game, the Chiefs aren't apologizing.

''We don't have too many pretty games but as long as we come away with the victory that's all that matters,'' said cornerback Brandon Carr, who had one interception. ''We're definitely making progress and trying to keep this thing going.''

The Raiders promising season was jolted last week when starting quarterback Jason Campbell was knocked out with a broken collarbone. Coach Hue Jackson moved quickly to get a replacement by trading for Palmer on Tuesday.

Palmer had been working out on his own in Southern California. Because of his rust and unfamiliarity with his teammates and the playbook, Palmer did not start in his debut.

It didn't end up mattering because neither quarterback was able to do much besides throwing interceptions.

Boller was 7 for 14 for 61 yards and became the first Raiders quarterback to throw three interceptions in the first half since Donald Hollas in 1998 against Miami. Palmer went 8 for 21 for 116 yards with the three interceptions.

''I was excited to be playing again, but there was such a limited playbook with little to no experience with the receivers, it definitely is an uncomfortable position to be in,'' Palmer said.

This marked the first time the Raiders had thrown six interceptions in a game since that 1998 game against the Dolphins, and the Chiefs had their first six-interception game since 1984 against Seattle.

''We knew that they had a quarterback controversy,'' Lewis said. ''We studied film and studied their routes and that they were going to give him a limited playbook. When we had the opportunity to make big plays and capitalize, that's what we did. And we did a good job with it.''

Jackson was coy all week about whether Boller or Palmer would start at quarterback. With McFadden leaving after his injury, it didn't much matter.

Oakland moved into Kansas City territory on its first drive and tried to run a trick play on third-and-1 that backfired. Third quarterback Terrelle Pryor lined up at receiver and went in motion to behind the center and took a quick snap for a keeper. The Raiders were called for a false start because Pryor was not set for a second.

On the next play, Boller threw an out pass to Jacoby Ford that Lewis stepped in front off and returned 59 yards for the touchdown to give the Chiefs a 7-0 lead.

Boller threw two more interceptions in the half as the fans kept calling for Palmer.

''I'm just extremely frustrated,'' Boller said. ''I had an opportunity to go there. It just didn't go as planned. Definitely not my best outing. I feel bad for my teammates. I feel like I let my teammates down. There's not much to say. The play speaks for itself.''

NOTES: Kansas City's previous biggest road win over the Raiders was 32-10 in 1966. ... This was the sixth time the Raiders have been shut out at home, with five coming since the start of the 2006 season. ... Raiders TE Kevin Boss left with a concussion.

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