Oakland Raiders: Sense of Urgency to Defeat the Lions and Seahawks

Damali Binta – Aug 22, 2012

The preseason is at a halfway mark with only two more preseason games on the Oakland Raiders schedule. It's time to develop a sense of urgency to win, even though it's only a practice game.

A lot of data can be used to measure the level of discipline and commitment of a team. Winning is all that matters. It's time for the Oakland Raiders to win a preseason game to indicate their level of commitment to excellence in 2012.

Look at this data and make your own observations:

Seahawks				Oakland			Arizona
year	w-l	post Bye Week			post Bye Week			post Bye Week
2011	7 wins	0		8 wins	0		8 wins	0
2010	7 wins	1		8 wins	0		5 wins	0
2009	5 wins	0		5 wins	0		10 wins	1
2008	4 wins	0		5 wins	0		9 wins	0
2007	10 wins	0		4 wins	0		8 wins	0
Observations - Arizona vs Raiders
2 field goals in first quarter
1 field goal in second quarter
2 touchdowns in third quarter
1 field goal in fourth quarter
Dallas
year	wins	post Bye Week
2011	8	0
2010	6	0
2009	11	1
2008	9	1
2007	13	1

 

Historically, the data shows that there has been a lack of discipline in the Oakland Raiders in the last five years. The preseason opponents have a degree of discipline a little above the Oakland Raiders when you use the post Bye Week data as a parameter.

Note that the Dallas Cowboys won three out of five post Bye Week games in the past five years, and don't forget how the Oakland Raiders struggled to keep the Cowboys from putting points on the board. In the first half of that game, the teams seemed equally determined to keep points off of the board.

In Week 2, the Raiders showed more determination, but they were slow starters for getting those touchdowns. In the first and second quarter it was the field goals that put points on the board. Finally, in the third quarter two touchdowns were made and this was uplifting.

In the fourth quarter, only a field goal was made by the Raiders. Historically, the Raiders show either fatigue or carelessness in the final moments of the game. In the past, however, the Raiders were known for their determination and perseverance in the final moments of a tough game. This attribute needs to be revived!

The Oakland Raiders need to develop a sense of urgency to demonstrate their renewed commitment to excellence in 2012.