Oakland Raiders can’t overlook next two ‘easy’ games
The Oakland Raiders have become a trendy Wild Card pick thanks to their upcoming schedule but can’t afford to look past two ‘easy’ games.
Much has been made of the Oakland Raiders surprising 2019 so far. The Jon Gruden–Mike Mayock system and team-building approach seem to be working and they were able to overcome the Antonio Brown saga and a brutal road stretch to emerge in the playoff mix.
They were able to pull off close wins returning home against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers and now find themselves at 5-4, tied or a Wild Card spot and sitting a half-game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
When gazing at the Raiders’ upcoming schedule, you’ll see a home game against the winless Cincinnati Bengals followed by an away game against the New York Jets. It’s easy for fans and analysts to assume they’ll win the next two before their showdown in Arrowhead against the Chiefs.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
While that’s fine the team can’t afford to do this. These are prototypical “trap” games that the young Raiders can’t afford to fall into. They can not come out flat and need strong wins since they are going to need all the momentum they can get going into Arrowhead. Luckily, a veteran coach like Gruden won’t let that happen. He will have his Raiders prepared.
If the Raiders can rattle off two more strong victories against weaker competition, they will be entering the Chiefs game sitting at 7-4 off the strength of four straight wins.
This will be absolutely colossal because while on paper it may look a mismatch, especially considering Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid’s Chiefs came into Oakland in their last meeting and came out with a 28-10 victory, the importance of momentum can not be overstated.
Every year a team or two gets hot at the right time and rides the wave as far as it’ll take them. The Raiders need to take the Bengals and Jets as seriously as they will the Chiefs, and suddenly the playoffs are not only a possibility, but also likely.
Next. Ranking 11 teams attending Kaepernick workout as landing spots. dark
Who knows, they may get hot enough to maybe even host a playoff game in Oakland in the city’s farewell season.