Oakland Raiders Show They’re Getting Close in Tough Loss

Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off the ball to running back Darren McFadden (20) during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders’ heart-breaking, 16-9 loss to the New England Patriots showed that they aren’t the same old Raiders. Many expected the same old Raiders after getting blown out at home by the Houston Texans but didn’t get them. I don’t believe in moral victories any more than the players that lost do but fans can be encouraged about the Raiders now.

A typical non-Raiders fan is going to think that I’m just happy that the Raiders didn’t get blown out in Foxborough. There may be some truth to that but the reason why they didn’t get blown out counts for more than the fact that they didn’t. This wasn’t a bad game, a bad team, or a case of the Patriots taking the Raiders lightly because they were 1-1 at the time.

The Raiders weren’t lucky to be in the game until they end like they were against the New York Jets in Week 1 either. They actually showed that they are close to turning things around and this game may be the turning point in the season. There were encouraging signs from both the players and the coaching staff that pointed to this team not being the same old Raiders.

Turn the page to see what I’m talking about.