Five observations of the Raiders 2017 schedule
By Evan Groat
Week 10 bye comes at the perfect time
Despite having to spend an extended amount of time on the east coast in Week 8 and Week 9, the Raiders will be rewarded with a Week 10 bye. By this point in the season, players are physically drained and injuries could be mounting, so it’s the perfect time for some time off.
What also makes the bye week significant is that it will give the Raiders coaching staff an extra week to prepare for the defending Super Bowl champions, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Many fans were looking forward to a possible Brady-Carr showdown in the 2016 playoffs, but it was not to be when Derek Carr went down with a broken fibula in Week 16.
This is a game all of Raider Nation has circled on their calendars.
The Patriots have reloaded an already Super Bowl winning roster adding wide receiver Brandin Cooks, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive end Kony Ealy. This is arguably the most talented Patriots roster they have had since the 2007 team that finished the regular season 16-0, before losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
A possible AFC title game preview, the game will be played in Mexico City. The Raiders will have the advantage of already making the trip to Mexico City last year, playing in the extremely high altitude in Azteca Stadium. Raider Nation will travel, so although the game is being played at a neutral site, it should have the feel of a Raiders home game.
The defense will need to be a factor in this game, and over the years the recipe to beat Tom Brady is to put pressure on him. The pass rush will need to be on their “A game” this week if they want to come out victorious.