They Keep Raiders Cornered : Chiefs: Defensive backs Lewis and Ross put additional chill on Schroeder’s passing attack. L.A. offense makes the mistake of trying to challenge them.

Perhaps the NFL’s best cornerback tandem, left cornerback Albert Lewis and right cornerback Kevin Ross of Kansas City, neutralized the Raiders’ passing attack in the Chiefs’ 9-7 victory Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Raider quarterback Jay Schroeder, the AFC’s top-rated passer coming into the game, completed only 10 of 31 passes for 139 yards with one interception and no touchdowns.

The Raiders, who live by the bomb, died by the bomb, in part because of the pass coverage of Lewis and Ross.

“They played well today,” Schroeder said of the cornerbacks. “You’ve got to tip your hat to them. We had some chances to make some plays on them, but we couldn’t get the ball in there.”

Although Raider receivers dropped four passes in the cold, wet weather, Schroeder refused to use that as an alibi.

“It was very difficult to play in that type of weather,” Schroeder said. “But (Lewis and Ross) made some good plays on us.”

Lewis said the weather, which featured sleet in the first half, was an ally in defending against long passes.

“The weather conditions weren’t conducive to throwing deep because even if you were beaten you could recover because the ball hung up there because of the wind,” Lewis said.

Lewis intercepted a pass from Schroeder and returned it 15 yards to end the Raiders’ first drive of the second half. Checking wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez, the AFC’s second most productive receiver, Lewis limited him to three catches for 34 yards.

“There aren’t many corners that are going to match up with Fernandez for his size, strength and speed,” Lewis said. “It’s tough playing against him because he’s so strong.”

Ross limited wide receiver Willie Gault to three catches for 55 yards. When Gault was able to beat Ross he was unable to hold onto the ball. A potential touchdown pass sailed through his arms in the third quarter.

“There’s no way you can prepare yourself to play against Gault because he can run,” Ross said. “If you slip, there ain’t no catching up with him. You can’t fool around with him.”

Ross dropped an interception that he could have easily returned for a touchdown. He quipped: “I’m going to have to go get a manicure tomorrow. I dropped money today.”

Trailing by two points when they took over at the Chiefs’ 49 with 10:17 remaining in the game, the Raiders challenged Ross on three consecutive plays instead of trying to position themselves for a field goal that would have given them a one-point lead.

Testing Ross turned out to be a mistake.

On first down, Schroeder threw deep for Fernandez, but Ross knocked the pass away. On second down, Schroeder went deep for Gault, but Ross stopped the play. The Raiders tried the same pattern on third down, and Ross dropped the interception.

While most teams employ zone pass defenses against the Raiders, the Chiefs were so confident in the coverage ability of Lewis and Ross that they employed them in single coverage against Fernandez and Gault.

“I don’t know how many people in the league who would want to subject their corners to that kind of pressure consistently,” Lewis said. “But pressure is a motivating factor. If you want to be the best you have to accept that kind of pressure and see it as an opportunity to succeed.”

Ross also welcomed the challenge of playing single coverage.

“You like it (man-to-man coverage) if you can do it,” Ross said. “I want the ball thrown to me and (Lewis) wants the ball thrown to him. If you don’t want that, you don’t belong out there on the corner.”

Lewis and Ross have different styles. Lewis, 6-feet-2 and 190 pounds, uses his speed to harass receivers, while Ross, 5-9, 182, is a punishing hitter who intimidates opponents.

Although Lewis and Ross have been together for seven seasons, their partnership almost ended this season when Lewis missed the exhibition season and the Chiefs’ season opener because of a conflict with team management.

Indicating that he would never play again, Lewis said he was tired of playing for a noncontender and wanted to be assured that the Chiefs would change their direction to contend for the playoffs.

“Carl Peterson (Chief general manager) and I sat down and resolved our problems,” Lewis said. “It had nothing to do with football.”

And the Chiefs are thankful that Lewis didn’t dissolve his partnership with Ross.