Get an exclusive look at the top photos from the Raiders' Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) huddle in the tunnel before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden stands on the field before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) huddles the team before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) huddles the team before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden greets model Jospehine Skriver on the sidelines before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
The Raiders are introduced onto the field before their regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the sidelines before the coin toss at the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the coin toss before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) eyes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) celebrate after sacking the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) lines up before the snap during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) lines up before the snap during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) celebrates after wide receiver Hunter Renfrow's (13) 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16), wide receiver Zay Jones (12), wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and offensive lineman Andre James (68) celebrate after Hunter Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) block during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrate after Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrate after Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Hunter Renfrow's (13) 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) blocks during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) stands on the field during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner talks with the defensive line on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) blocks during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) blocks for quarterback Derek Carr (4) as he looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrate after a play during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) block for running back Josh Jacobs (28) as he rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
The Raiders offense huddles up during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch for an 8-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch for an 8-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) dives for the pylon for an 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrate after Darren Waller's 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83), quarterback Derek Carr (4), wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrate after Darren Waller's 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16), running back DeAndré Washington (33), quarterback Derek Carr (4) and tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrate after Waller's 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight ends coach Frank Smith talks with tight end Darren Waller (83) on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77), guard Gabe Jackson (66), offensive lineman Andre James (68) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block for quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) walks on the field during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block for quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) goes to sack the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) eyes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after sacking the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs after making a catch for a 46-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs after making a catch for a 46-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celbrates after wide receiver Tyrell Williams' (16) 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Tyrell Williams' (16) 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a PAT during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) pose for photo on the bench after Tyrell Williams' 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the bench after Tyrell Williams' 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with the wide receivers on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and Daniel Carlson celebrate after kicking a field goal during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) swaps jerseys with Houston Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee (16) after the regular season game.
El equipo prácticamente ha vivido en aviones y hoteles desde mediados de Septiembre, después de visitar Minnesota, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Houston y haber disputado un partido en Londres. La larga travesía ha quedado atrás y por fin los Raiders jugarán en el Coliseo para disputar los siguientes tres partidos.
Gruden fue claro en su sentir sobre el largo peregrinar que el equipo tuvo los últimos 49 diás, sin embargo, el hecho es que está complacido con lo que ha visto de sus jugadores aun a pesar de la reciente derrota en Houston.
"Me agrada," dijo Gruden después del partido sobre la situación del equipo. "Me agrada el avance que han tenido y continuaré marcándoles el ritmo. Estamos armando nuestro equipo en torno a varios jóvenes que están posiciones criticas. Muy orgulloso de dichos jóvenes. Eso no significa que ya estamos donde queremos. Queremos ganar los partidos reñidos así que continuaremos trabajando duro. Sabemos que los Lions son un equipo que acaba de ganar un partido reñido. Tenemos que mejorar en las tres facetas y todo empieza conmigo.
El Plata y Negro quedó con marca de 2-3 en los partidos de la primera gira de la temporada y con marca general de 3-4 aun no hay una sensación de pánico entre los jugadores.
"La liga hizo lo que hizo con el calendario y en su mayoría jugamos bien manteniéndonos en la batalla," explicó Lamarcus Joyner. "Nadie esperaba que tuviéramos marca de 3-4 en este momento, es decir, estoy muy seguro que todos se reían de nosotros y pensaron que no ganaríamos partido alguno, pero seguiremos adelante. No hay resentimiento. Todavía creemos y tenemos esperanza. Seremos buenos."
"Duele mucho porque pudimos haber ganado, creo yo que todos los partidos de esa gira," dijo Maxx Crosby. Eso es lo difícil de eso, pero hay que tomarlo una semana a la vez. Nos tenemos que reenfocar. Tenemos un partido importante en casa. Necesitamos ganar, asi que en retrospección creo que hicimos algunas cosas bien, pero definitivamente hay algunas cosas que podemos corregir y mejorar. La segunda mitad de la temporada está por iniciar."
Como dijo Crosby, ciertamente hay cosas que los Raiders pueden mejorar al llegar a la mitad de la temporada 2019, como reducir castigos y presionar de manera más constante al mariscal contrario. El hecho es que el equipo ha lidiado con una porción complicada del calendario de juegos y parece haber algo de tranquilidad en el futuro próximo, al menos en teoría.
Los siguientes tres partidos serán en el Coliseo de Oakland, todos en contra de equipos con menos partidos ganados que perdidos. En tanto los Raiders no subirán a un avión hasta finales de noviembre previo a su partido de la Semana 12 en contra de los New York Jets.
Por ello será primordial que los Raiders aprovechen estos partidos en casa para conseguir idealmente tres victorias si es que quieren que los partidos al final de la temporada tengan un significado extra, no sin menospreciar lo aprendido en esas derrotas reñidas.
"Aprendes de esos partidos," dijo Hunter Renfrow. "Habrá un ganador y un perdedor y tendremos oportunidad de ejecutar esas jugadas necesarias para ganar en lo que queda de la temporada. Habrá partidos como este en las Semanas 12, 13, 14, etc., y habrá otras oportunidades para terminar un partido asi que tenemos que aprender de ello y revisar que es lo que hicimos mal."
Aunque los Raiders están un partido por debajo de .500 entre victorias y derrotas en una temporada que no ha sido nada predecible, todavía pueden lograr muchos de los objetivos establecidos, peor la clave en mantener esos objetivos está en conseguir las victorias en casa.
"Es una buena sensación después de haber estado viajando tanto," dijo Crosby respecto a los próximos juegos en casa. "Necesitamos ganar en casa y darles a nuestros aficionados lo que se merecen."
La oportunidad para poder cumplir con ese cometido por parte de los Raiders en primera instancia será el próximo domingo en partido correspondiente a la Semana 9 en contra de los Detroit Lions a la 1:05 pm PT.
