Oakland Raiders AFC Champions 2002
In 2009 the Raiders were horrible. Nothing about this team was good.
In 2010, they struggled, fought, clawed and climbed up to the the status of average.
In 2011, against one of the toughest schedules ever, the Raiders are in a battle to reach GOOD.
And under the leadership of rookie head coach Hue Jackson, that battle will be won!
This team has good players but that is not enough. We need a season of battle against the very best opponents in the NFL. We need to be tested against savage trials of danger and defeat to become a playoff worthy team.
After innumerable injuries and even deaths in the first half of the season, the 2011 Raiders are becoming something….
We survived the test of the AFC East, dominating but then losing to the Bills, soundly beating the Jets, and losing with poise to the Patriots. Miami is yet to be seen, but suffice to say our games in this division have helped this team grow stronger.
Now comes the ultimate testing ground: The NFC NORTH!!!!!
All four games against these snow teams come now. The perfect way to put our team under EXTREME pressure and see what comes out of it. Do the Raiders crack or do they create a diamond that glitters even more brightly than our superbowl teams of the past?
Make no mistake. We NEED these types of tough, brutal games.
To reach the next level, the level of GOOD, Oakland must strive to hold together in a storm of monster defenses, powerful offenses and horrifying field conditions. If Raiders can run on these guys, they can run on ANYONE!
Win or lose, our time with the NFC North will either make or break this team.
If Raiders can split with the NFC North, we win our division.
And we win the right to become a Good team in the NFL.
NOW IS THE TIME!
