Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen completed an 11-yard pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez in the first quarter, with Asomugha in tight coverage. Thigpen later connected with Gonzalez for 23 yards and a first down. Two other times, passes to Gonzalez missed the mark with Asomugha covering.

Asomugha entered Sunday's game with only 10 passes thrown his way during the first 11 games. Teams completed three of those for 13 yards. Three of those first 10 passes directed at Asomugha came during the Raiders-Chiefs game Sept. 14. Four times teams attempted no passes against Asomugha.

"I knew it was going to happen," Asomugha said, "because the last time I played against Tony, they still wanted to throw to him. But, man, he's a big body. It's a tough cover regardless who's going to be on him. Then, you see the stats at the end of the game: eight catches. It didn't matter what we did."

Indeed. Gonzalez caught eight passes for 110 yards overall, which almost matched the production of all of Oakland's receivers (10-132).

Russell's streak ends

Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 25 of 33 passes in Oakland's two games before Sunday. He picked up Sunday where he left off. For one quarter or so, anyway.

Russell completed four of his first six passes for 77 yards and helped the Raiders to a 3-0 lead. He completed only six of 22 for 55 yards beyond the first play of the second quarter.

"He was pretty good in the first half," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "Somehow, by the third drive in the third quarter I felt like, um, he's a little rough. He's getting better and making improvements and all that and doing what he needs to do, so you have to believe in him."

Russell dismissed any suggestion that he was pressing.

"Things happen," he said. "I wouldn't say that's pressing. That's (not my) word. Things didn't (work out). Next time, they will."

Wildcat resurfaces

The Raiders weren't in much of a position to employ their so-called Wildcat formation since running back Darren McFadden sustained a turf-toe injury against the Chiefs in the teams' first game.

Eight days ago, McFadden reprised the role that debuted in Oakland's regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos . He lined up behind center four times against the Chiefs on Sunday. However, those four plays netted only 5 yards.

Third-down blues

The Raiders entered the Broncos game last in the league, by far, in terms of third-down conversion percentage at 22.1 (30-for-136). Yet, something clicked in the second half on the heels of a 1-for-5 effort in the first half.

The Raiders converted their first seven third-down plays into first downs in the second half against Denver and finished 8-for-13 overall. That boosted their percentage to 25.5.

On Sunday, the Raiders reverted to their season-long form. They converted only three of 13 third-down plays (23.1).

Chiefs streaking

The Chiefs entered Sunday's game with only one victory since they played the Raiders at the Coliseum on Oct. 21, 2007. During that time, the Chiefs lost 19 games. Their lone victory came against the Broncos on Sept. 28.

The Chiefs' victory Sunday upped their record to 3-19 in their past 22 games, with two of those wins coming against the Raiders. Also of note, the Chiefs have won their past six games at the Coliseum.

Extra points

Ronald Curry was the lone Raiders wide receiver to catch a pass Sunday. He was credited with no yards on a play on which he pitched to McFadden for a 16-yard gain. This marks the fourth straight game in which only one wide receiver has caught a pass. "... Raiders right guard Cooper Carlisle sustained an ankle injury late in the first quarter. He returned a few plays later. His status for Thursday's game against the San Diego Chargers will be updated today. "... The Raiders failed to score a touchdown on all five of their first-half possessions. They now are 1-for-70 in that category through 12 games. "... The Chiefs allowed a league-worst 406.3 yards per game before Sunday. They held the Raiders to 271 yards. "... Center Jake Grove (calf) and linebacker Ricky Brown (groin) were deactivated for the game. John Wade replaced Grove, Jon Alston filled in for Brown.

Steve Corkran