Oakland Raiders: Notes And Observations From Week Eight
By Kevin Saito
November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the football off to running back Latavius Murray (28) during the third quarter against the New York Jets at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Autumn Wind Blows Again
Most of the so-called experts in the media continue to find reasons to discount Oakland’s very solid start. Some of them still scoff at the idea of the Raiders making the postseason. But with a win over a very good football team in New York, the Raiders made quite a statement – the Autumn Wind is blowing again.
At 4-3 – and with a head to head tiebreaker with the Jets in hand – the Raiders are currently positioned as the first AFC wild card team – which would make them the fifth seed overall. The team they take on this Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers, is also firmly in the playoff mix. It’s yet another big game for the Raiders and another chance to distinguish themselves while putting the league on notice.
With half the season gone and some of the playoff races are beginning to take shape. We’re already seeing a lot of teams in the AFC and NFC fall out of playoff contention. Though nobody had been officially eliminated from postseason contention just yet, it’s really nothing more than a formality at this point. Teams like the Chargers, Browns, Texans, Titans, 49ers – and really, the list goes on – have no real shot at postseason play and are doing nothing more than playing out the string.
But for the first time in more than a decade, the Raiders are right in the thick of the playoff race. They control their own destiny and many believe, still have an outside shot at a division title – the team’s stated goal during the offseason.
Next: Raiders Ready For A Battle In Pittsburgh
The haters are going to continue to hate and the doubters will continue to doubt. But this Raiders squad is different. They are playing inspired ball. They are playing passionate ball. And they are winning as a result of it.
So let the haters and doubters continue to do their thing because regardless of what they think or say, the Autumn Wind is blowing once again.