Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Oakland Raiders long snapper Jon Condo (59) snaps the ball at the line of scrimmage against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
TheOakland Raidersare coming off a big win over their division rival San Diego Chargers – a game in which they were utterly dominant for three quarters. Though the finish of the game produced a few heart palpitations for Raider fans around the country, Oakland got out of Qualcomm with a convincing and important win. However, they now face what might be their biggest test so far this season.
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Under new head coachTodd Bowles, the New York Jets look nothing like the team that stumbled and bumbled their way to a 4-12 record last season. Bolstered by additions likeBrandon Marshall,Darrelle Revis,Antonio Cromartie, andLeonard Williams, this season’s incarnation of the Jets is a force to be reckoned with.
Bowles has this team believing that they can win and win now. And given the fact that the Jets are currently sitting at 4-2 – and having given the New England Patriots all they could handle in a narrow week seven loss – it’s evident that the team is buying in.
This game poses an incredibly stiff test for the Raiders. While it isn’t likely going to make or break the season as a whole, a win over a team that – in the eyes of many – is becoming a sexy pick to make a playoff run in the Jets would certainly turn a lot of heads in Oakland’s direction.
This game will provide the Raiders with an excellent measuring stick that will show them – and the fans – how far they’ve come and how far they have yet to go. A win will put them right in the thick of the playoff race – and in an advantageous spot at that, with head to head tiebreakers being that they are. A loss, while not dropping them out of contention, would certainly throw a little bit of a speed bump in their path.
There is a lot on the line and this game is going to be a dogfight. Not very many people are expecting the Raiders to come away with a win, so they might as well go out and do it just to prove everybody wrong. Here are some keys that could help lead to a victory over the Jets.
Next: Needs To Be On Point
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