The NFL's 16-game regular season is usually looked at in four quarters. The Raiders have completed the first quarter of their season, and as the Raiders now head into their Week 5 bye, let's look back at some of the positives from the first four weeks and what to keep an eye on as the team heads into their second quarter of play.
Derek Carr
Through four games, the rookie from Fresno State has performed well, throwing for 734 yards and four touchdowns in the early stages of the 2014 season.
Additionally, Carr has impressed other coaches around the league with what he has been able to do during his rookie campaign.
"I think he's obviously a smart guy," Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick said when describing Carr. "I think he's got a great arm, can make all the throws, and as I said, gets the ball out quick, sees the coverage and doesn't stand back there and make it hard to protect for him. I think the kid's got a great future."
Khalil Mack
As the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Khalil Mack has lived up to the hype thus far in 2014.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mack has 19 tackles which ranks him third amongst all rookies this season.
"Clearly he's a guy that has an unbelievable amount of talent," said New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan, when asked about the young linebacker. "He can do it all. He can rush the passer, play coverage, scores when he gets picks. His movement skills are outstanding. He plays with a certain passion and things."
James Jones
The veteran wide receiver signed with the Raiders in the off-season, and through the first quarter of 2014 he is leading the team with 272 receiving yards.
He has also formed an on-field connection with Carr who has tossed two touchdowns to the Bay Area native.
Week 5
The Raiders will get some needed rest this weekend as they have recently returned from a grueling 11-day stretch where they hit the road to play the New England Patriots and then traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to London to take on the Miami Dolphins.
The time off will provide the team time to reflect on the first quarter of 2014, get healthy and prepare to dive into the next portion of the schedule.
It will also allow newly appointed Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano time to get his business in order to lead the team through the final 12 weeks of the season.
Week 6
The Raiders will welcome Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers to O.co Coliseum for their Week 6 matchup on October 12th.
Last year, in their divisional matchup in Oakland, the Silver and Black toppled the Chargers 27-17 in the latest-starting game in NFL history.
The Raiders lead the all-time series against the Chargers 58-48-2.
Week 7
After their game with the Chargers, the Silver and Black embark on their slate of NFC West games and will host the Arizona Cardinals in Oakland on October 19th.
A familiar face will once again be seen in the Coliseum, as Carson Palmer, who played quarterback for Oakland from 2011-12, is now under center for the Cardinals.
Palmer still ranks second in franchise history with a 62.6 completion percentage and his 4,018 passing yards in 2012 is also good for second all-time for the organization.
The Raiders will also see former members of the Silver and Black - Matt Shaughnessy, Tommy Kelly and Jared Veldheer.
Oakland also leads the all-time series against the Cardinals 5-3.
Week 8
Following their two games at home, the Raiders will wrap up the second quarter of the 2014 campaign by hitting the road and taking on the Cleveland Browns October 26th at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
The two teams have not met since 2012, but the last time they squared off, the Browns narrowly edged the Silver and Black 20-17.
