Jon Gruden
Of course, the head coach/play-caller will play a big role on Sunday, but Gruden’s biggest challenge occurs during the week. With how well the team has played and how the Bengals have fared this season, it’s easy for Oakland’s players to feel too comfortable and become complacent, and that is how upsets happen.
It’s Gruden’s job to combat said complacency and find unique ways to keep the team motivated.
With such an inferior opponent, the coach needs to find ways to talk up Cincinnati and remind his team that they are not invincible. Whether that means being extra critical in practice or taking a page out of Bill Belichick’s book. Three years ago before playing the 4-7 Los Angeles Rams, The Hoodie spent nearly an entire press conference raving about Johnny Hekker, the punter.
Now does Gruden need to go in front of the team and rave about the Bengals specialists? No, but the point is he needs to find ways to keep the team motivated and focused on the task at hand. The game might be played on Sunday, but it is won on Monday through Saturday.