Tough Loss Points to Bright Future For Oakland Raiders

Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) intercepts the ball against Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brice Butler (12) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The San Diego Chargers defeated the Oakland Raiders 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The above photo shows just how close the Oakland Raiders were to upsetting the San Diego Chargers in a tough, 31-28 loss. In the loss, interim head coach Tony Sparano showed that under his watch, the Raiders aren’t far from being good. Sure, Raider Nation doesn’t do moral victories, especially when the Raiders had a chance to win but they made a big jump in two weeks.

The jump just wasn’t big enough to go from a blow-out loss to the average Miami Dolphins to beating (Chargers) arguably the best team in the AFC. So now at 0-5, Sparano is putting together the some of all the Raiders’ parts to show that they equal the whole of an up-and-coming team. Raider Nation no longer needs to hold on to the Jon Gruden the pipe dream as Sparano brings the team up to it’s potential.

This team is closer than many believe as Sparano has allowed some young talent that was held back under Allen to flourish. He’s actually made McKenzie’s last couple of offseasons look a whole lot better than they did before Sunday’s game. And now, it looks like it would take just one more good offseason to make the Raiders stomp with and on the big dogs of the NFL.

As matter of fact, the Arizona Cardinals better bring their A-game if they expect to get out of the “Black Hole” with a win. The rest of the opponents on Raiders’ schedule will soon find out that Raider-week is much harder than it used to be too. Their record may not be the prettiest to end this season but this is an up-and-coming team that will be a tough out going forward.

Turn the page to see why.