Before the Oakland Raiders returned to the practice field Wednesday afternoon to continue preparation for their Week 17 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Head Coach Jack Del Rio held his usual Wednesday press conference.
Here are the highlights from his time behind the podium at the team's Alameda, Calif., facility.
The Raiders can take some things from their Week 13 battle with the Kansas City Chiefs into Sunday's game.
"We can certainly learn, having only played them a month ago. Certainly there will be things that both teams take from that experience, that game, and apply forward. There are some things we have to do better, obviously, they ended up winning the game."
Head Coach Del Rio shared his assessment of quarterback Derek Carr's second year.
"I think he's had a really strong year. It's one more opportunity to add onto that. He's nearing the franchise record for touchdowns thrown. He's thrown for a bunch of yards. He's done a great job of bringing us back in several games. I think he's had a really strong year. It would be great to end that year on a strong note."
Since October, the Chiefs have done just one thing – win.
"I think what they've been able to do is win games. They've been able to win the field-position battle. They've been able to win the turnover battle and they score defensively. I think they lead the league in defensive touchdowns, if not, they're at the top. Those are ways that they've found to kind of overcome the loss of a guy like Jamaal Charles, one of the best backs in the league. They've lost him and they've been able to continue to win. That's a credit to their football team."
Head Coach Del Rio has been pleased with the growth of the Silver and Black's rookie class.
"We believe in developing talent, that that we acquired in the draft, that that we brought in as free agent acquisitions. The guys have been here that are continuing to get an opportunity to compete – guys like Seth [Roberts] who created roles for themselves. We've created that kind of culture here. I like that."
He also shared his keys to winning at Arrowhead Stadium.
"You have to have poise in the noise. You're going to have noise. For us, we've been pretty solid at the way we've traveled, business-like approach, so I think really that's what it takes going in there to play well. Hostile environment; there's as loud as we let them be. If we play well, they won't be quite as loud."
