The Raiders defense has allowed just one Touchdown over the last six quarters of football. This performance led the Silver and Black to a primetime victory on Monday Night Football over the Packers in Week 5. The defense is starting to show signs of life while the offense is still struggling to find its way.
This week begins a five week, season defining, stretch for the Raiders. It begins this week as they take on an anemic Patriots squad that has only mustered three points in its last two games. This is a must win situation for the Raiders if they have any aspirations of being a quality team this season.
This is exactly the type of game that Raider Nation knows too well. Far too often, the Raiders find a way to make a struggling team look like Super Bowl contenders with an embarrassing performance. They absolutely can’t allow that to happen this week.
A victory over the Patriots would put the Raiders at 3-3, with upcoming games against the Bears, Lions, Giants and Jets. Three of these games are winnable and they have an opportunity to get to 6-4, before facing off with the Dolphins and Chiefs.
This is a season defining stretch. Can the Raiders continue to build on defensive stability , find their way on offense and establish themselves as a potential surprise contender? Or will they play down to the competition, lose winnable games and blow another opportunity?
You must excuse the hesitance to get excited. Raider Nation has been burned by this scene before. This Sunday is huge.