Oakland Raiders: What You Need to Know Heading into Week 8

Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor declined to take a break during the bye last week. Instead, he spent the downtime at the team’s facilities in Alameda getting in some extra work on and off the field with offensive coordinator Greg Olson.

Whether that makes a difference or not in his play remains to be seen. However, at a time he could have been licking his wounds coming off the worst game of his career, Pryor was putting in the time to try to get things turned around in Oakland.

Getting help along the offensive line would be a good place to start.

Fresh off a much-needed four-day break, the Raiders returned to practice on Monday still unsure who will be available to play up front in the Week 8 matchup against Pittsburgh.

These and other topics are worth keeping an eye on in the coming days. To help, here’s a look at some of the things you need to know heading into the Steelers game.

 

Division Standings

AFC West Record Kansas City Chiefs 7-0 Denver Broncos 6-1 San Diego Chargers 4-3 Oakland Raiders 2-4 The surprising Chiefs won again, this time knocking off the lowly Houston Texans. Coach Andy Reid’s squad, which finished with the worst overall record in 2012, is now the NFL’s lone remaining unbeaten team. And to think, the Raiders had them within range late in the fourth quarter before collapsing. Denver’s bid for perfection ended at the hands of Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck, while San Diego beat up on lowly Jacksonville to get back above .500. The Raiders? They didn’t play, which meant they at least picked up ground on the Broncos.

 

Injury Report

Player Injury Andre Gurode Quad Tony Pashos Hip Flexor Stefen Wisniewski Calf strain Coach Dennis Allen—using the same method he’s employed at various times throughout the season—declined to discuss spe...

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