Oakland Raiders: It’s Only April, But Denver Fans Already Clutching Their Pearls

The Oakland Raiders are on an upward trajectory and are poised to ascend to even greater heights – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by rival fans in Denver, some of whom seem to be freaking out about it already.

For too many years, the Oakland Raiders were a franchise without a direction – unless you consider downward a direction. They were a ship without a captain – or a rudder. They were creative in the ways they managed to lose. And lose they did. They lost a lot. In fact, between 2003-2015, the Raiders lost an astonishing 145 games – an appalling average of a little more than11 games a season.

But under the steady hand and leadership of GM Reggie McKenzie, and now HC Jack Del Rio, the Raiders are charting a course that has them trending upward. An upward trend that last season, saw them earn their first playoff berth since 2002 – a trend that could possibly take them to even greater heights in 2017.

The fact that the Raiders are on their way back to prominence again hasn’t been lost on people. Most especially on fans of the arch-rival Broncos, who are already clutching their pearls and gritting their teeth.

And it’s only April.

In a recent piece over on SB Nation, a certain Raiders antagonist has already penned quite the screed. It’s the sort of screed you didn’t see from this antagonist until later in the Summer last year. The fact that the level of vitriol is ramped up so early just goes to show that some of the Denver faithful are already bracing themselves for what’s to come.

With Denver struggling to finish above .500 last season – and missing the playoffs altogether – and the coming season looking decidedly the same with the dynamic duo of Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch battling it out for the starting spot, one would have to forgive the Broncos faithful.

After all, given the state of things in the Mile High City, and the offensive uncertainty, it’s entirely possible that all they have to look forward to this coming season is bashing their rival teams.

Which brings us to the piece in question. In his diatribe, the antagonist mentioned above lays out his five reasons the Raiders will come crashing back down to Earth in 2017, and in his estimation, are going to finish at or below .500.

His reasoning and “logic” are a doozie, but let’s take a look at his compelling case anyway…