No matter where you look, the team has struggled. There have been flashes of production here and there, but nothing positive has happened often enough. This inconsistency will be under a microscope this week as the Raiders will have to play a nearly flawless game to have chance at a win.
The offense showed it could move the ball last week, but it fell victim to its own carelessness. Oakland's four turnovers proved to be the biggest factor in the game. They stopped promising Raiders' drives and consistently gave the Houston Texans good field position.
Even with the mistakes, the offense has at least shown potential. The same can't said for the defense, particularly the defensive line. Oakland's success against the Patriots will depend largely on the defensive line's ability to create pressure on Tom Brady.
The defensive linemen have to make Brady uncomfortable all game for the Raiders to have a chance. If they don't, this game could be over early.
The Raiders are a long shot to win on Sunday, but the team can—and needs to—take this as an opportunity to play much better than it has so far. This can be the first game of a different Oakland team, one that's going to be more competitive going forward.
This can be a defining game for Oakland. Even in a loss, a solid performance can change the team's path for the rest of the season.
Begin Slideshow
...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
