The Raiders were riding high after knocking off the Bengals. The next item on the Raiders agenda was supposed to get a second win to build momentum, then a third win to make it a habit. Instead, the Raiders once again flopped when they had a chance to make a statement.
(AP Photo Tony Guiterrez)
Defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha who was uncharacteristicly victimized in Thursday's game was very frustrated with the team's inability to get that ever elusive second game in a row, "“It is disappointing. It is embarrassing also. I think we’re all pretty embarrassed with how the game ended up. Trying to win two games for us has been like trying to climb Mt. Everest or something. It has been very difficult. We’re trying to get two wins at some point in the year. And it always, never happens. That is the momentum swing that we need. But we have never been able to get that; we’ve never had that momentum.”
That has been the problem for the Raiders since the 2003 season. They have been unable to string wins together. They do have a streak of two game winning streaks going back to the 2004 season. However, in each of those seasons, the Raiders have failed to get that all important third win.
Thus far this season, the Raiders haven't even been able to get a second win in a row. Even more telling, each of those losses were not even close. In week two, the Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs and followed that up by getting blasted by the Broncos the following week 23-3. Their second win was an upset Philadelphia Eagles, and the following week they suffered their worse home loss ever at the hands of the Jets.
At the beginning of the season, Warren Sapp said that the Raiders have a tendency to get too high after a win, and are not able to follow it up. Recently, punter Shane Lechler echoed those sentiments, "after the Philadelphia game, people read press clippings. It was one win. And all of a sudden everyone was real cool around here, then we got beat again."
The Raiders pulled off a big win in the closing seconds, but once again they could not capitalize. Until the Raiders can start winning games in a row, they are going to continue to be mired in this slump they have wallowed in since 2003.
You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Comments
Story of the game "Missed it by thaaat much!
we still need wrs and or of. line sucked but atleast are def. looks like pro calibure offence needs to go back to high school where they can lose and still have a little pride
Raiders need front office, fire the present personnel
Raiders need front office, fire the present personnel
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