Las Vegas Raiders entering dangerous territory heading into Week 11
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders looked like one of the best teams in the NFL early on, but they are entering dangerous territory going into Week 11.
The Las Vegas Raiders blew a golden opportunity on Sunday night, as they played host to the Kansas City Chiefs with first place in the AFC West on the line. With a win, the Raiders could prove to themselves, and the world, that they are the class of the division, and it would also exorcise some of their demons against this hated rival.
Instead, old problems reared their ugly heads, the Raiders got blown out, and now, after two straight losses, one is left to wonder what this team is. They looked so good early on in the season, winning three straight, including one over the Baltimore Ravens, but then lost two in a row.
From there, the change was made at head coach, and a two-game win streak ensued, a streak that seems like so long ago. In the last two weeks, Las Vegas has gone on the road and lost to a bad New York Giants team, and has now been blown out by Kansas City inside Allegiant Stadium, where fans were able to watch these two rivals battle it out for the first time in the Raiders new home.
For fans of the team, this is far too familiar, as the Silver and Black enter dangerous territory going into Week 11.
Raiders are in danger of falling to .500 on the season Sunday
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals come to town on Sunday, and while they have struggled as of late, it is a dynamic offense that could hurt the Raiders with the vertical passing game. After that, they hit the road on Thanksgiving to play Dallas, before going back home to play the Washington Football Team, who is fresh off a victory against Tampa Bay in Week 10.
If Las Vegas does not figure things out in a hurry, they could be looking at going into Kansas City in a few weeks below .500, and in the midst of another second-half collapse. The Raiders have looked terrible since the bye week, and you have to wonder if all the off-the-field stuff is starting to affect them on the field.
We have all seen this movie one too many times, and if the Raiders can right the ship against Cincinnati on Sunday, you have to wonder if it will be another year on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Sure, this team has talent, and they are better on defense, but Sunday night was a jarring reminder that there is so much work left to be done, especially when it comes to the division.