If the Raiders are going to be contenders, it starts next week in Miami. The Dolphins early on this season looked like one of the strongest teams in the league. I admittedly haven’t watched them very much since after the first few games, but in looking ahead to next week, I see that they have:
- Beat teams that they should beat
- Lost the games vs. other contenders
This whole season (and last season), I was adamant that this team has the talent, that the problem lay within Josh McDaniels, and his lack of the ability to game manage and lead men. Now, since we’ve jettisoned that cancer, we see glimpses of what the Raiders are when you have full buy-in from the team. The RAIDERS have beat two teams that, assuming they are legitimate contenders, they should have.
Now moving forward, I think the biggest question mark has to be at QB, and early returns are good. AOC is still a rookie and we can expect him to make some mistakes, but I would argue that if we get this level of production out of him and play together as a team, we’ve got a shot.
Miami is coming off of a bye, and they will be playing at home. Imagine if we hang an L on them next week. The team would have belief going into the Chiefs (and beyond), and belief is a funny thing. It turns losers into winners in a league full of parity.
If the Raiders win this one, we would have a shot to win out into our bye, and then who knows? The sky’s the limit. I think the Dolphins are the first litmus test (post JMD) to see what we’ve actually got, and I expect the boys to come out and play their asses off. Exciting times for the team. Let’s go get it!
Edit: formatting
I don’t see what some of you guys are seeing with this being more than an average team at best. We have a huge question mark at the most important position (QB), the interior O-line is revolting, we have 1 consistent pass rusher and mid-tier players at best at all other positions other than WR1 and arguably RB1. (JJ is probably a top 5 RB when the line isn’t constantly imploding and w/ an 8 man front every down but his numbers are not good this year.)
Overall, talent-wise this team is probably somewhere around 20th in the league. JMD had them playing like a bottom 3 team but even maximizing the talent I think staying .500 is close to the best case scenario outcome.
Pierce has them playing hard which will give them a chance but I just don’t see what some of you guys are seeing that makes you think this team can be more than average with an off chance at a wild card.