Para que los Oakland Raiders del 2019 sean el equipo que quieren ser, el que juegue partidos relevantes en diciembre, enero y un poco después, tendrán que ganar partidos similares al que tuvieron frente a los Cincinnati Bengals, quienes no habían ganado partido alguno en el año y se fueron igual.
La victoria de Oakland ante ellos fue igual de significativa que las otras cinco del 2019 aun cuando no fue la más sencilla.
"Quisiéramos ser tan precisos como sea posible, pero al final del día somos humanos," dijo Darren Waller. "Las cosas no siempre saldrán como quisiéramos y no pore so hay que desistir o asustarse cuando las cosas no salen, tenemos que enfocarnos y no preocuparnos sobre lo que digan otros. No puedes dar por hecho una victoria en la NFL. Eso es en serio."
Como bien aludió Waller, las cosas no fueron perfectas para el Plata y Negro en el Coliseo de Oakland el domingo pasado; cedieron 173 yardas por tierra y no aprovecharon todas sus oportunidades en la ofensiva, sin embargo, con una victoria por siete puntos, el equipo mejoró su marca a 6-4 y se mantienen en la contienda por un boleto a la postemporada en la AFC.
Posiblemente lo mas importante es que defendieron el terreno local del Coliseo de Oakland a final su serie de tres partidos de manera invicta después de un largo peregrinar por medio mundo a media temporada.
"Terminamos una de las giras mas impredecibles en la historia de la NFL en la que no solo estuvimos de gira por el país, sino que en otro país al otro lado del mundo al parecer cada semana," dijo Jon Gruden. "Regresamos e hicimos lo que teníamos que hacer si es que queríamos mantenernos vigente. Todavía nos falta mucho. Estamos construyendo nuestro equipo. Quiero enfatizar eso. No somos un producto terminado para nada pero estamos compitiendo arduamente y estamos encontrando formas de ganar. Nuestra afición es super, en realidad nos ayudaron mucho."
"Con un calendario como ese esta armado para fracasar," añadió Waller. "Pero jugamos y los superamos y aquí seguimos. Seguimos de pie así que creo que ahora podemos hacer lo que sea."
Ese sentir ha sido contagioso, ya que las tres fases del deporte para el Plata y Negro han mejorado desde que regresaron al Área de la Bahía.
Entonces ¿que ha sido la diferencia que ha ayudado a que los Raiders mejoraran de estar dos partidos debajo de .500 a una marca de 6-4 y en medio de la pelea por clasificar a la postemporada?
"Creo que es algo diferente que he notado; muchos de los jugadores se han acoplado, han empezado ha platicar más entre ellos y familiarizarse entre sí," explicó Trayvon Mullen. "Tenemos jugadores que llegan cada semana, caras nuevas y solo tratamos de mantener a todos en sintonía, mantener la familiaridad de la organización y continuar avanzando."
El poder jugar en casa es exactamente lo que los Raiders necesitaban en este momento y ahora saldrán de gira de nuevo las siguientes dos semanas cuando visiten a los New York Jets y a los Kansas City Chiefs respectivamente.
Por ahora el Plata y Negro disfrutaron de su victoria en vísperas de iniciar la preparación para su siguiente viaje
"Fue increíble," dijo Mullen. "Hemos tenido jugadores con lesiones y por tal, otros jugadores han tenido que entra al quite. Los jugadores que tenemos son muy apasionados. Disfrutan el deporte. Nos apreciamos y solo jugamos con pasión y fuerza. Nos comunicamos y creo que eso es lo mejor que tenemos en este momento."
El destino final para los Raiders del 2019 aún está por definirse, pero con una racha de tres victorias consecutivas el equipo está justo donde quiere estar en esta fase de la temporada.
Check out photos from the Raiders' Week 11 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The Raiders special teams unit line up on a kick during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The Raiders celebrate after a PAT during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders safety D.J. Swearinger (21) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Josh Mauro (97) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) and tight end Derek Carrier (85) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) and safety Erik Harris (25) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) and safety Erik Harris (25) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Dion Jordan (95) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders safety D.J. Swearinger (21) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59), defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92), safety D.J. Swearinger (21) and defensive end Josh Mauro (97) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The Raiders huddle during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The Raiders defense celebrates after an interception by cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden celebrates with fans following the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden addresses his players in the locker room following the regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
