Fans of the Oakland Raiders are sure to be sweating a bit after their team dropped their third game in a row. The Baltimore Ravens paid the Raiders a visit and predictably made it difficult for the silver and black to get their offense going, especially with EJ Manuel spearheading the offense instead of Derek Carr.
Sitting at 2-3 and third in the AFC West, Oakland is beginning to look like they may fall out of the playoff race. The offense has stagnated and the defense continues to be a liability, a terrible combination for a team that had Super Bowl expectations prior to the 2017 NFL season.
According to Carl Steward of Mercury News, head coach Jack Del Rio admitted the losses may be having a negative effect on his players:
I think you’d have to have a little question about the confidence level,” he said. “You just went out and didn’t get it done three weeks in a row. To me, it’s real simple. It’s a group of men, prideful men. We’ll get back in the saddle, get back to work.”
Suffering an extended losing streak is rough for any team, but the Raiders’ play on the field seems to support the notion that the defeats are wearing on them. However, this is still a group with solid veterans and experienced players on the roster, so there should still be optimism they can bounce back.
With Carr expected to suit up in their Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, they will get a chance to get the offense going again. Oakland is in desperate need of a win and this is the best opportunity for them to go and get one.
