NFL to LA: Oakland Raiders Making Noise
The Oakland Raiders are 4-3 coming off a dominant win at home against a stout New York Jets defense team — with that, they are staying on the radar to be the team that moves as a result of NFL to LA talks.
Oakland is now in second place in the AFC West, behind an undefeated Denver Broncos team who is 7-0.
Yes, they won again, but the Broncos also won, which does not help Oakland.
They need the Broncos to lose while they keep winning to have a chance at winning the division.
Obviously.
Remember, though, Oakland had a chance to defeat the Broncos earlier in the season, but they lost 16-10.
The Broncos defense stepped up and won on a go-ahead interception.
Without that, the Raiders could be in even more serious business.
Yes, they lost that game but they proved that they have a good defense to pair with their offense and that they can defeat the Broncos and have a great shot at winning the division.
The Raiders got their first win in November and are above.500 for the first time since 2011.
If they playoffs were to start today they would be the 5th seed in the AFC.
Given we are only halfway through the season, there is another half of the season to be played, and we can’t ignore that.
They play the Pittsburgh Steelers this week — a game that will heavily influence where Oakland stands from here on out.
In the beginning of the season I would give them a slim chance with a healthy Steelers team.
The Raiders always give them a run for their money.
Now, this game is in Pittsburgh with Big Ben back, but Leveon Bell is out for the rest of the season.
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Now, I give the Raiders a greater chance of winning the game because they just have to shut down the receivers and contain Big Ben.
With a defense mixed with players who have Super Bowl and MVP caliber experience and leadership it is possible and can and will be done.
Reminder — this game is always good and remembered, even if the Steelers are all healthy.
They will have to continue to prove themselves.
As they are doing good at the halfway point the Broncos are as well.
I know they are undefeated, but lets be honest, they realistically should be 3-4 and second in the division.
They are only in first and undefeated thanks to their outstanding defense.
For the first time all season Denver’s offense was on all cylinders.
Now, to get back to the Raiders.
Their schedule seemed to be difficult for them; when looked at the preseason and how those teams they were facing the Raiders with healthy personnel.
Bottom Line: LA could come back in black.
The rest of the teams they face are teams who are doing bad this year with good personnel or injured personnel.
This means when facing these teams they have a greater chance of winning than society thought they had.
I said they would win their division and go 12-4, and I’m sticking to that prediction.
If they can do that, I can only imagine what that will do for their case to come to Los Angeles.