The Raiders are 10-2. This is a remarkable achievement given their recent run of futility. The last time this franchise reached double-digit wins was 2002, which also happens to be the last time they had a winning record or made the playoffs.

That year, Oakland lost in the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay. That team, which featured Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Charlie Garner, didn't get its 10th win until Week 16.

Now it's Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Khalil Mack. And while the names have changed, some similarities remain. The Raiders currently feature the NFL's No. 4 offense (fourth in passing, fifth in rushing), according to Football Outsiders' metrics. The 2002 version ranked No. 2 (third in passing, fourth in rushing).

Offensively, these two teams, separated by 15 years, are very similar.

The glaring differences come on the other side of the ball; the Raiders' defense is fast, athletic and ... inconsistent. The unit ranks 26th overall and is only slightly better against the pass (22nd) than the run (27th). The latest reminder that, despite some playmakers, this group remains a work in progress, came last Sunday.

The Raiders trailed at home to the Bills, 24-9, partly because of their inability to stop LeSean McCoy, who finished with 130 rushing yards. Of course, Oakland scored the final 29 points to win decisively, but as December gives way to January, the Buffalo Bills of the NFL world will be replaced by teams like ... well, the Chiefs. KC is an upstart outfit that took a month to find itself but once it embraced its strengths has been virtually unbeatable.

So while Thursday night's game is important for the race to the top of the AFC West, it also could be a preview of a playoff rematch.

A year ago, the Chiefs limped to a 1-5 start before catching fire and winning 10 straight thanks to a steady-as-she-goes approach on offense and an under-the-radar defense. The team ranked fifth in efficiency, according to Football Outsiders (sixth on offense, sixth on defense, ninth on special teams) and won a wild-card game before running into the Patriots in the divisional round.

Through 13 weeks, the Chiefs are 9-3 and rank eighth in efficiency, and second on special teams, though they have neither a top-10 unit on offense (15th overall) or defense (13th overall). One of the biggest knocks on Andy Reid's offense is that it's bland, boring and risk-averse, which makes for some less-than-exciting football, even if that's exactly what Reid wants.

Taking the long view, it's hard to argue with the results. The Chiefs have won seven of eight, including back-to-back victories over the Broncos and Falcons. That said, no one is confusing Alex Smith for Trent Green. Smith has been the definition of replacement-level these last two seasons: In 2015, he ranked 15th in value per play, and this season he's ... 15th. But we also have to consider what's asked of him. He's Captain Checkdown, the unofficial spokesman for the game manager who won't lose it for you, but probably can't win it for you, either.

For Reid, this isn't a bug, it's a feature -- one that minimizes mistakes, favors a mostly conservative game plan, and relies on a very good defense to take care of the rest. And it's hard to argue with the results. The question now becomes: Can Reid take that blueprint and make it work in the postseason?

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco's prediction

This is the best Thursday matchup of the season. The winner will be in first place. The Chiefs won at Oakland earlier this season, and I think it happens again. The pass rush will slow the Raiders offense, and the Chiefs take a close one.

Prisco's pick: Chiefs 24, Raiders 20

Our prediction

The Chiefs might not be much to look at, but Reid's Bordeom Ball has been efficient if not exciting for a season and a half now. Some people consider Kansas City a Super Bowl team, and while we're not yet willing to cross that bridge, there's no disputing the success Reid has had since midway through the 2015 season. And while the Raiders have one of the league's most explosive offenses, the inconsistencies on defense -- not to mention all the penalties -- are a concern. It's why we like the Chiefs at home on Thursday night.

Our pick: Chiefs 16, Raiders 14