Raiders Look For 3-1 Start On Season
If the Oakland Raiders win this Sunday, the team will move to 3-1 on the season.
It will take a second to soak in, so let me repeat that.
If the Raiders can beat the Bears in Chicago on Sunday, the Silver and Black will be two games above .500.
With how terrible the Raiders have been over the past decade, it's hard to believe that maybe, just maybe, this is the season the Raiders can turn it all around.
With the 0-3 Bears battered and bruised, the Raiders are the favorite to win this game. Even that is hard to believe considering the Raiders, last week, ended a 16 game losing streak in Eastern Time Zone games.
Moral of the story: while we never thought the day would come again, the Raiders have a legitimate team this season.
Derek Carr is the first franchise quarterback the team has had under center since Rich Gannon.
Latavius Murray is showing signs of being a top back in league, Amari Cooper is an absolute stud at wide-out, and Khalil Mack is one of the best linebackers in the NFL in just his second season.
There are clear spots the Raiders need to improve. To be more specific, the offensive line and defensive secondary is garbage.
Luckily for Oakland, the Bears are less than average at every position except running back and tight end.
Jay Cutler is questionable for the game. Of course, Cutler is a better quarterback than backup Jimmy Clausen, but neither quarterback is going to make a big difference in the outcome of the game.
Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery is out for the game which will help the Raiders weak secondary.
The only weapon the Raiders are going to have a very hard time keeping down is running back Matt Forte.
It's safe to assume that the entire defensive game plan will be primarily focused on Forte.
If the Raiders offense can continue to develop, like it has in the last two weeks, this game really shouldn't be too competitive at all.
The only team ahead of the Raiders in the division standings is the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos are at home against the Minnesota Vikings this week, which should be an easy win for Denver.
There isn't a single team in the AFC West that is going to run away with the division.
Each team will stay around .500 or a game or two above.
It's quite the breath of fresh air for Raider Nation.
Just to be considered a favorite to win on the road is something to be excited about.
The up and coming Raiders will get an easy victory over the weak and hurt Bears, 27-10 and move to 3-1 after the first quarter of the season.