Before the season started, the Las Vegas Raiders made some interesting moves that grabbed our curiosity. After beating the Kansas City Chiefs, they have our attention. However, in order for them to keep us engaged, they have to continue bringing in the wins.Â
How did the Raiders get here?
The Raiders have one of the most loyal fanbases in the NFL, nobody will argue that. They have been with the Silver and Black despite the losing that has surrounded the team for the better part of the last two decades. Every single season, they will root for the organization to get over the hump and succeed. However, uncertainty shrouded the team before the season started.
Most analysts and outside observers doubt this was the year the Raiders were going to turn the corner. Although quarterback Derek Carr had his best statistical year in 2019, his numbers hadn’t translated into success in previous seasons. The team had many young players full of potential, but all of them were unproven commodities.
The Raiders’ back-to-back losses to the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills didn’t do much to dispel the notion they weren’t very good. After all, the ‘Pats’ neutralized Las Vegas’ offense and the game is even more lopsided than the 36-20 score suggests. The following week, the Bills successfully stopped the Raiders, and just like that, the Silver and Black would find themselves with a 2-2 record.
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The Silver and Black put many doubts to rest
Things would change in Week 5 when the Raiders shocked the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. It was just the first time Carr won a game there. It also marked the first time the team had won at Arrowhead since October 2012. Experts such as Nick Wright of ESPN, Terrell Davis of NFL Media were shocked the Silver and Black beat the Chiefs in Week 5, but they weren’t the only ones, and rightfully so.
Last year, the Raiders won just seven games and most of their wins were against middle-of-the-pack teams and at the very last minute. Their wins weren’t simply convincing and in instead, dropped some games they had no business losing. Thus, it wasn’t surprising to see the national media be skeptical about this Las Vegas team in the offseason.
Now, it is up to the Raiders to show their win over the Chiefs wasn’t a one-time deal and it was the beginning of a trend and not an aberration. They have the players and showed they could take on a playoff contender. They now need to do it on a weekly basis.
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Top Photo: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press