The day after his team suffered a 22-20 loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio held his weekly Monday press conference at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility.
Here is what we learned from his time behind the microphone.
Head Coach Del Rio didn't make any excuses for Sunday's outing.
"We had two real clear opportunities to close the game yesterday. We had that 3rd and 2, where, when we convert we can continue to march down into the end zone potentially, or exhaust the clock and kick the game winner with very little time left. We didn't get that done on offense, so we turned it over to the defense with a lead and we got them to 4th and 5 and had a shot to end it right there. That was another potential game-ending situation."
He also spoke about his team's two turnovers:
"Two real, problem turnovers for us really eliminated first down plays. How many plays in that drive are you taking away? Six, seven, eight, nine? Who knows? Two drives taken off the board with a first down turnover and just add that in right there; it might feel a little different, look a little different."
Head Coach Del Rio voiced his concerns about the team's kick returning duties.
"It's concerning to have both those guys [Taiwan Jones and TJ Carrie] unavailable right now. Hopefully that cleans up as we approach Wednesday and start preparing for Denver."
**The NFL is a week-to-week league.
**
"I know it maybe doesn't sound maybe the way you want it to sound, but it's a week-to-week league. Some days you sit up here and you feel really good about what occurred the day before, but regardless you have to dial in the next opponent. There's a lot of talent throughout the league, a lot of really good coaches that scheme you and you've got to get ready."
Linebacker Aldon Smith is getting better each week.
"I think it's gotten better each week. I think his understanding of what we're looking for has gotten better each week and I think he's kind of gotten into hitting shape and playing shape and all those things. We should continue to see his ability to impact us in a positive way."
