It’s time people admit the Raiders are a good team

At 4-4, the Oakland Raiders do a lot of things well as a football team under Jon Gruden. It’s time people accept the truth that this team is for real.

The Oakland Raiders improved to 4-4 on the season after a go-ahead touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Carr to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, defeating the Detroit Lions 31-24 in Week 9. After a month and a half away from the Bay Area, the Silver and Black will be back in Oakland for the second straight week, as they take on the division rival Los Angeles Chargers.

On this week’s episode of Stacking the Box, FanSided‘s Matt Verderame and Mark Carman, along with former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, look at the Raiders heading into their Thursday Night Football home matchup against the Chargers and see if they can improve to 5-4 to keep the good vibes going with the Silver and Black (27:30).

“I think the Raiders are playing some good football, especially offensively,” said Schwartz. “Though it’s part of their success, I’m not surprised that they’re playing well offensively. The surprise is that the defense is also playing well, with really no one. They don’t have a big name.”

Schwartz would add that the Raiders’ offensive line has been key to their success, as they are getting great contributions from many members of their front-five, including guard Richie Incognito. If a former NFL offensive lineman likes what a team is doing in the trenches, that is only a good thing, so good for you, Raider Nation.

“Look, he’s not going to be an All-Pro, he may not be a Pro Bowler, but [Derek Carr] is playing well, said Verderame. “He’s not been the anchor that he was frankly last year on this team when he wouldn’t throw the ball more than five yards downfield. He’s actually pushing the ball a little bit. Darren Waller has been a revelation at tight end. I agree with Geoff on the offensive line.”

Simply put, the Raiders are playing great complementary football with emotion. This team may still be a year away from making serious noise in the AFC playoffs, but this team is fun, exciting and most importantly, a good football team. The Raiders have a lot to look forward to heading into 2020. A win at home on Thursday in primetime over the Chargers will be huge for them.

Here are a few other topics discussed on this week’s episode of Stacking the Box:

• Did the Patriots get exposed on Sunday? (3:11)
• Are the 49ers or Saints the best team in the NFC? (12:20)
• Titans TE Delanie Walker joins the show (14:55)
• Chargers-Raiders pick (27:30)

All this and more!

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