Greatly embarrassed at giving up so many rushing yards, the Chiefs thought they'd hit rock bottom defensively.

Little did they know.

Three weeks later, Kansas City gave up 205 ground yards in a 34-0 loss at Carolina, then melted down completely in getting torn up for 332 rushing yards in a 34-10 loss to Tennessee.

Easily the league's worst rushing defense at the time, the Chiefs thought they were improving in holding consecutive three opponents to 103 or fewer yards. But then last week, Buffalo broke out for 171 en route to a 54-point outburst that was the most points ever scored against a Chiefs team.

Now the Chiefs defense is reeling again heading into Sunday's rematch with the Raiders at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Ranked dead last in total defense, but only 31st in rushing defense, the Chiefs know they have to patch the gaping leaks in their run defense if they have any hope of winning in the Black Hole, a place where they've won in each of the past five years.

Until taking the big step back last week against Buffalo, coach Herm Edwards was thinking his run defense was improving to the point that it might be competitive against a physical team like the Raiders. Though not as certain now, he'll learn about his team's toughness this week.

"We'd better (be better), because they're going to run it, no doubt about it," he said of the Raiders. "I think they ran it on us 47 times (the first game). We know what's going to happen. They don't try and trick you with their runs."

That's why Glenn Dorsey is looking forward to his first trip to the Black Hole. This game is going to be one of the year's most physical up front, and the Chiefs' No. 1 draft pick likes that idea.

"As a defensive lineman, that's what you like -- when an opponent lines up and says, 'We're going to run the ball on you. Now, try to stop us.'

"That's what it's all about, man. That's fun. We look forward to that."

Are the Chiefs better prepared now to handle the Oakland run than they were in Week 2?

"Way better prepared," Dorsey insisted. "We watch the film of that game and say, 'Man, I can't believe the stuff that was happing in that game.'"

SERIES HISTORY: 97th regular-season meeting. The Chiefs lead the series 50-44-2, with a 2-1 edge in postseason action. Kansas City has won its last five games played in Oakland, including a 12-10 decision last year when S Jarrad Page sealed the deal with a game-saving interception with less than a minute remaining.