Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
As always, the Raider Nation delivered in droves.
Our AFC West sound-off question this week was what were Raiders fans expecting as a result of Oakland’s upset win over Philadelphia on Sunday? I wanted to know if Raiders fans thought this was just one, nice win or the start of something big.
The results were varied. But many Oakland fans are cautiously optimistic.
I think it was just one win, but it could act as launching pad, especially on defense. After all, every win steak starts at one.
Below are some of your many responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:
Joe from San Diego, Calif.: There is no better word to define the Raiders this year than inconsistency. The Raiders have a golden opportunity to gain some momentum against a shaken Jets team whose QB confidence is down after a horrendous performance. The Jets also have to travel across the country. But which Raider team will show up? The one that looked utterly lost against the Giants? Or the one that sacked Donovan McNabb five times? I'll cautiously believe that the Raiders are starting to bring some elements together that will give them the edge against the Jets. I'll believe Tom Cable's talk about turning the corner if the Raiders win their next two games.
Neil from Clovis, Calif.: The biggest difference I saw in the Raiders' game was the passion and the ferocity the team played with. Antonio Pierce's comments seemed to light a fire for the team and seeing the hustle and emotion in the game was a good sight to (finally) see. Oakland hasn't come out with that kind of intensity since week 1 against the Chargers. They have been quiet and flat since then so if the Raiders can continue to come out with that passion and hustle every week, there will definitely be more wins to come.
Fernando from Mission, Texas: I think the defense is capable of playing like that every week , the problem is on offense if the running game is stopped then the raiders are in big problems.
Ross N from San Francisco, Calif.: I'm probably as die-hard of a Raider fan as you can get; however, there is no way I get any hopes up after a win against the Eagles. I get my 4 weeks of happiness every football season (this being one of them and especially since I can get to rub it into my brother-in-law's face), but I've gotten my hopes crushed far too many times to begin speculating this will start a trend for our Raiders. It a top-down organization...Raiders will become contenders once Mr. Davis steps/falls down.
Bret from Walton, N.Y.: We've seen it too much in the past Bill. The team will come out hot for one week, and then stink up the league again for the next five weeks. Coach Tom Cable said it best when he said that we have to win three in a row to gain confidence. Granted, this is a good time for that, as in a suspected rough stretch for the Raiders, it actually turns out we are coming off a big win, have the Jets flying across the country after losing three straight, and then get another crack at S.D. who we have been wanting to get another crack at since opening night. Following that, there is a buy week, and then KC. We certainly don't want to get our hopes up, but there is actually like a 40% chance Oakland could end up 5-4 after the next three games. With Washington and Cleveland still on the schedule after that, there is still a chance Oakland could get off the 10 loss shnide they have been riding. The return of WR Chaz Schilens couldn't be more timely Bill. But let's not jump to conclusions, this team still has to prove it!
Alaska RBR: Definitely a momentum changer. Everyone knows about the Raiders' talent, but these guys showed no heart besides the first half in week one. This game proved to the players that they can do it with the right attitude and effort. Expect a top tier defensive effort against the Jets, a solid run game, and a get-it-when-we-need-it passing game.
Ed Yates from Oswego, N.Y.: What did the Raiders win mean? It meant that it IS possible to overcome a bad QB. Russell threw 2 bad picks and should have thrown at least 2 more. He got lucky with a great effort by Miller and Murphy. If the defense plays an entire game like that against the Jets and Russel can be just bad instead of terrible....they'll win again.
Elias from Blackhole, Idaho: This wins means that we are now 2-4. It means that our Defense should blitz more, and it means that our offense still needs work. It means that the Raiders have a chance next week to prove that this win wasn't a fluke. It was a great win for the Raiders, but it means nothing unless they follow up with another strong showing next week, I will be there to watch. A win vs a team like this could turn around there season, but 8-8 will be a reach for us this year, but it means we are moving in the right direction. Thanks Bill
Daniel Barragan from San Jose, Calif.: Hey BW, I think this just goes to show that if Al Davis would just back off and let the coaches coach, the Raiders would be so much better. Finally Marshall called a game without fearing what Davis might say. He said he might get into trouble for not playing man to man for the whole game. That just shows you that the old man needs to step away. We totally blindsided the Eagles because they expected man to man the whole game and had not prepared for any type of blitzing by the Raiders. The Raiders are better then their record and do have talent but are being restricted by Davis. So to answer your question I think this win is something they can build upon. It shows the players that they can compete with anyone when they give the necessary effort. 3 things were learned with that win: 1. As long as Davis backs off, the Raiders are a much better coached team 2. Russell just needs to be average to win 3. We need to mix up our defense more often and incorporate blitz packages. Thats all I got, Thank BW!
Ryan from Kings Bay, Ga.: While it was a great win for my Raiders, my expectations of 6 wins hasn't changed. Hopefully the coaching staff will continue to call an aggressive game on defense and allow our LBs to fly around making plays. The passing game continues to be miserable.
As always, the Raider Nation delivered in droves.
Our AFC West sound-off question this week was what were Raiders fans expecting as a result of Oakland’s upset win over Philadelphia on Sunday? I wanted to know if Raiders fans thought this was just one, nice win or the start of something big.
The results were varied. But many Oakland fans are cautiously optimistic.
I think it was just one win, but it could act as launching pad, especially on defense. After all, every win steak starts at one.
Below are some of your many responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:
Joe from San Diego, Calif.: There is no better word to define the Raiders this year than inconsistency. The Raiders have a golden opportunity to gain some momentum against a shaken Jets team whose QB confidence is down after a horrendous performance. The Jets also have to travel across the country. But which Raider team will show up? The one that looked utterly lost against the Giants? Or the one that sacked Donovan McNabb five times? I'll cautiously believe that the Raiders are starting to bring some elements together that will give them the edge against the Jets. I'll believe Tom Cable's talk about turning the corner if the Raiders win their next two games.
Neil from Clovis, Calif.: The biggest difference I saw in the Raiders' game was the passion and the ferocity the team played with. Antonio Pierce's comments seemed to light a fire for the team and seeing the hustle and emotion in the game was a good sight to (finally) see. Oakland hasn't come out with that kind of intensity since week 1 against the Chargers. They have been quiet and flat since then so if the Raiders can continue to come out with that passion and hustle every week, there will definitely be more wins to come.
Fernando from Mission, Texas: I think the defense is capable of playing like that every week , the problem is on offense if the running game is stopped then the raiders are in big problems.
Ross N from San Francisco, Calif.: I'm probably as die-hard of a Raider fan as you can get; however, there is no way I get any hopes up after a win against the Eagles. I get my 4 weeks of happiness every football season (this being one of them and especially since I can get to rub it into my brother-in-law's face), but I've gotten my hopes crushed far too many times to begin speculating this will start a trend for our Raiders. It a top-down organization...Raiders will become contenders once Mr. Davis steps/falls down.
Bret from Walton, N.Y.: We've seen it too much in the past Bill. The team will come out hot for one week, and then stink up the league again for the next five weeks. Coach Tom Cable said it best when he said that we have to win three in a row to gain confidence. Granted, this is a good time for that, as in a suspected rough stretch for the Raiders, it actually turns out we are coming off a big win, have the Jets flying across the country after losing three straight, and then get another crack at S.D. who we have been wanting to get another crack at since opening night. Following that, there is a buy week, and then KC. We certainly don't want to get our hopes up, but there is actually like a 40% chance Oakland could end up 5-4 after the next three games. With Washington and Cleveland still on the schedule after that, there is still a chance Oakland could get off the 10 loss shnide they have been riding. The return of WR Chaz Schilens couldn't be more timely Bill. But let's not jump to conclusions, this team still has to prove it!
Alaska RBR: Definitely a momentum changer. Everyone knows about the Raiders' talent, but these guys showed no heart besides the first half in week one. This game proved to the players that they can do it with the right attitude and effort. Expect a top tier defensive effort against the Jets, a solid run game, and a get-it-when-we-need-it passing game.
Ed Yates from Oswego, N.Y.: What did the Raiders win mean? It meant that it IS possible to overcome a bad QB. Russell threw 2 bad picks and should have thrown at least 2 more. He got lucky with a great effort by Miller and Murphy. If the defense plays an entire game like that against the Jets and Russel can be just bad instead of terrible....they'll win again.
Elias from Blackhole, Idaho: This wins means that we are now 2-4. It means that our Defense should blitz more, and it means that our offense still needs work. It means that the Raiders have a chance next week to prove that this win wasn't a fluke. It was a great win for the Raiders, but it means nothing unless they follow up with another strong showing next week, I will be there to watch. A win vs a team like this could turn around there season, but 8-8 will be a reach for us this year, but it means we are moving in the right direction. Thanks Bill
Daniel Barragan from San Jose, Calif.: Hey BW, I think this just goes to show that if Al Davis would just back off and let the coaches coach, the Raiders would be so much better. Finally Marshall called a game without fearing what Davis might say. He said he might get into trouble for not playing man to man for the whole game. That just shows you that the old man needs to step away. We totally blindsided the Eagles because they expected man to man the whole game and had not prepared for any type of blitzing by the Raiders. The Raiders are better then their record and do have talent but are being restricted by Davis. So to answer your question I think this win is something they can build upon. It shows the players that they can compete with anyone when they give the necessary effort. 3 things were learned with that win: 1. As long as Davis backs off, the Raiders are a much better coached team 2. Russell just needs to be average to win 3. We need to mix up our defense more often and incorporate blitz packages. Thats all I got, Thank BW!
Ryan from Kings Bay, Ga.: While it was a great win for my Raiders, my expectations of 6 wins hasn't changed. Hopefully the coaching staff will continue to call an aggressive game on defense and allow our LBs to fly around making plays. The passing game continues to be miserable.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
AFC WEST SCOREBOARD
Sunday, 11/22
Final/OT Pittsburgh 24 Kansas City 27 Final San Diego 32 Denver 3 Final Cincinnati 17 Oakland 20