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Chiefs’ Tamba Hali calls the Raiders dirty

Tamba Hali

FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2011, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) celebrates after sacking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. Hali is a reluctant superstar, perfectly willing to carry a conversation until the camera or tape recorder flips on. He prefers to let his performance dictate what people think of him, and the Chiefs linebacker has been playing superbly. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

AP

As the Chiefs prepare to face the Raiders on Sunday, Kansas City outside linebacker Tamba Hali says his teammates need to be ready for dirty play.

“[The Raiders] are coming in and they’re a good team and a fast team and they play dirty,” Hali told the Kansas City Star. “We’ve got to come out swinging. We’ve got to be ready for that. You can let these guys come in and if they do it and you let them do it, they’re going to enjoy themselves doing it and they’ll run over you. So you have to be prepared for that and stay with the game plan.”

Hali declined to say which Raiders players are dirty or to offer any specific examples of Raiders cheap shots he’s seen through the years, but he said dirty play is a part of how the franchise does things.

“The Raiders, they come in, they cheapshot, they hit you,” Hali said. “I’m not saying [any] names. It is what it is. We’ve got to be ready to play and keep our composure, stayed poised and be able to get this win.”

Hali has been able to overcome Oakland’s alleged dirty play to record six sacks against the Raiders in his career.