Late Thoughts (Week 14): Oakland Raiders Take a Big Leap

The Silver and Black may not make the playoffs in 2015. But they’re going to make it tough for some other teams to do so.

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) bats down a pass thrown by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders won 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

A funny thing happened to the Denver Broncos on their way to a ninth consecutive win over the Silver and Black.

It didn’t happen.

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The magic number in the Mile High City on Sunday was 12. In the first half of Sunday’s game between these longtime AFC West rivals, the Oakland Raiders were down by a dozen while their team managed a mystifying minus-12 yards of total offense.

But the NFL has this funny rule that makes you play all 60 minutes (sometimes more if necessary). Led by outside linebacker Khalil Mack and a couple of touchdown passes from quarterback Derek Carr, Jack Del Rio’s club pitched their own shut out in the second half and stunned the AFC West leaders on their home turf, 15-12.

And Oakland managed this feat by amassing 126 yards of total offense by game’s end (do the math, that’s 138 total yards in the second half).

While it was a stunning blow to the Broncos, it raised the record of Del Rio’s intriguing club to 6-7. That means these Men in Black have doubled their victory total from a season ago. And if the Raiders can run the table the rest of the season, the franchise will have posted their first winning season since 2002.

As of late, there was skepticism regarding the Oakland defense and its play as of late. Despite numbers that have indicated improvement, the Raiders entered Week 14 with the league’s 25th-ranked unit in terms of fewest yards allowed.

Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) catches a touchdown pass as Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) fails on the coverage during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders won 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Following Sunday’s win at Denver in which Oakland sacked Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler five times (all by Mack) and also managed a pair of takeaways, the Raiders have now totaled 34 sacks and forced 20 turnovers in 13 games this season. A year ago, this same club managed only 22 sacks and a mere 14 takeaways in a 3-13 showing.

As for the Raiders offense, which did get a pair of touchdown passes from Carr, it has also been and up-and-down year. But you have to be impressed with the improvement from a season ago. This team has already totaled 299 points and scores 36 offensive touchdowns in 13 games. A season ago, the Raiders offensive unit rolled up a mere 26 touchdowns and the team scored a mere 253 points – the second-fewest total in the NFL in 2014.

For the first time in quite some time, this is a franchise that has some promise thanks to the additions of Mack, Carr and rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper, to name a few of the promising youngsters. The team recently signed veteran wideout Michael Crabtree to a contract extension as the former 49ers’ receiver has enjoyed a stellar season.

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No the Raiders won’t be winning the AFC West and the likelihood of the team reaching the playoffs this year is highly…unlikely. But if you’re still expecting an easy afternoon playing this club, you can blame it on Del Rio and his improving squad.