http://www.baysportsnet.com/oakland-raiders-playoffs-tap/
[h=1]Oakland Raiders: Could Playoffs be on Tap?[/h] Posted <time datetime="2013-10-28">1 day ago</time> in Oakland Raiders
<!--BEGIN .entry-content -->Written by: Karl Buscheck on October 28, 2013.
Heading into the season, the expectations around the league were not high for the Silver and Black. As Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network put it to 95.7 FM The Game during the preseason:
After holding off the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18, the team now sits at 3-4 on the season. Up next, Oakland has the perfect chance to climb back to .500 as they host the Philadelphia Eagles at the O.co Coliseum. Chip Kelly’s squad is down its top two quarterbacks in Michael Vick (hamstring) and Nick Foles (concussion). If the Eagles roll with rookie Matt Barkley, the Raiders’ defense should be in line for a big afternoon.
The matchup with the Eagles is the first in a string of winnable games on the docket for the Raiders. Here’s a look at Oakland’s schedule the rest of the way:
The playoffs are way out on the horizon, but it’s certainly possible to find five wins on that schedule. Plus, it’s worth considering the caliber of the opponents that the Raiders will be up against for the final playoff spot in the AFC:
For now, Oakland doesn’t have to worry about either of those scenarios. All of the team’s focus will be on the Eagles and reaching the .500-mark. A win over Philadelphia would also tie the Raiders’ win total from a season ago.
Then again, there is a dark side to all of this.
With Each Raiders’ win, the team slides further and further down the draft board. GM Reggie McKenzie and Allen will gladly trade draft spots for wins. While a playoff berth would be remarkable, it would also be something of a novelty because the Raiders aren’t Super Bowl contenders.
Oakland has a quarterback who may or may not be the future, and an offensive line that is atrocious. Simply put, the Raiders need more talent. The draft is often where that talent is found.
McKenzie, Allen and the players can take it a game at a time, and let the rest work itself out.
Just don’t finish 7-9.
[h=1]Oakland Raiders: Could Playoffs be on Tap?[/h] Posted <time datetime="2013-10-28">1 day ago</time> in Oakland Raiders
<!--BEGIN .entry-content -->Written by: Karl Buscheck on October 28, 2013.
Heading into the season, the expectations around the league were not high for the Silver and Black. As Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network put it to 95.7 FM The Game during the preseason:
More of Baldinger on #Raiders – “If you look at their roster it looks like an expansion team” #RiseGuys
— 95.7 The GAME (@957thegame) August 13, 2013
As it turns out, the Raiders are pretty good for an “expansion team.”— 95.7 The GAME (@957thegame) August 13, 2013
After holding off the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18, the team now sits at 3-4 on the season. Up next, Oakland has the perfect chance to climb back to .500 as they host the Philadelphia Eagles at the O.co Coliseum. Chip Kelly’s squad is down its top two quarterbacks in Michael Vick (hamstring) and Nick Foles (concussion). If the Eagles roll with rookie Matt Barkley, the Raiders’ defense should be in line for a big afternoon.
The matchup with the Eagles is the first in a string of winnable games on the docket for the Raiders. Here’s a look at Oakland’s schedule the rest of the way:
- Eagles
- @ New York Giants
- @ Houston Texans
- Tennessee Titans
- @ Dallas Cowboys
- @ NewYork Jets
- Kansas City Chiefs
- @ San Diego Chargers
- Denver Broncos
The playoffs are way out on the horizon, but it’s certainly possible to find five wins on that schedule. Plus, it’s worth considering the caliber of the opponents that the Raiders will be up against for the final playoff spot in the AFC:
- Chargers
- Jets
- Baltimore Ravens
- Miami Dolphins
- Titans
For now, Oakland doesn’t have to worry about either of those scenarios. All of the team’s focus will be on the Eagles and reaching the .500-mark. A win over Philadelphia would also tie the Raiders’ win total from a season ago.
Then again, there is a dark side to all of this.
With Each Raiders’ win, the team slides further and further down the draft board. GM Reggie McKenzie and Allen will gladly trade draft spots for wins. While a playoff berth would be remarkable, it would also be something of a novelty because the Raiders aren’t Super Bowl contenders.
Oakland has a quarterback who may or may not be the future, and an offensive line that is atrocious. Simply put, the Raiders need more talent. The draft is often where that talent is found.
McKenzie, Allen and the players can take it a game at a time, and let the rest work itself out.
Just don’t finish 7-9.
