There's nothing better than a little bit of home cooking, just ask the Oakland Raiders.
After an absolutely ludicrous road trip early in the year, the Silver and Black returned back to the friendly confines of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum a game under .500, and following three wins in a row, they're now headed back east with a 6-4 record, and squarely in the AFC playoff picture.
The Raiders' most recent win came Sunday afternoon, a 17-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and following a little bit of celebration, they'll turn their focus to next week's road clash against the New York Jets.
Let's enjoy the moment for a little bit longer though; here are six observations from the team's win over the Bengals.
1. Welcome to the town, gentlemen
With the injuries the Raiders were dealing with – particularly on the defensive side of the football – there was an expectation that the reinforcements would have to play against the Bengals, and that was indeed the case Sunday afternoon.
Just over a week after signing to the 53-man roster, D.J. Swearinger earned the start alongside Erik Harris against the Bengals, and got a good amount of game action during his first career game as a Raider, finishing his afternoon with seven tackles.
Swearinger wasn't the only Raider to make his debut in Silver and Black though, as Dion Jordan also got some run just days after joining the team, notching his first sack since Week 16 of last season.
While Swearinger certainly saw more action than Jordan, the athletic defensive end no doubt made his presence felt when his chances came, which on Sunday was primarily on third down and pass rush situations.
Welcome home, fellas.
2. Josh Jacobs did Josh Jacobs things
Entering Sunday's action at the OACC, there wasn't a team in the NFL giving up more rushing yards per game than the Bengals.
Well, while the Raiders didn't hit 173 – the average amount of rushing yards the Bengals have been surrendering in 2019 – the group certainly didn't have a hard time imposing their will at the line of scrimmage.
Josh Jacobs – coming off being named Rookie of the Week just a few days prior – looked to be his usual self at the OACC, racking up 73 rushing yards at halftime, a number that ballooned to over 100 yards by game's end.
We say it each and every week, but Jacobs has gotten better and better each time out, and the man really is a delight to watch play football.
That said, Jacobs' day wasn't perfect; he fumbled in the red zone which the Bengals turned into the first points of the game, but that blunder aside, he was tremendous once again.
3. Cue the Salt-N-Pepa
The Raiders' rookies are on one right now, let's just enjoy it.
In addition to all the incredible things that Josh Jacobs and the young dudes on offense are doing, Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell are in the midst of a moment in their own right.
After a breakout game last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, Clelin Ferrell returned with yet another big outing, batting down a Ryan Finley pass on the team's first possession of the afternoon, and providing constant pressure throughout the Week 11 win.
His "bandmate" Maxx Crosby also got in the mix as well, sacking Finley, and forcing a fumble that was eventually recovered by Mo Hurst.
But that was just the A side of the record, as Crosby finished his afternoon with three sacks in total.
We've talked a bunch this season about the youth movement that's afoot in Oakland, and at this point, while the present is pretty darn good, it's quite obvious that the future is bright too.
4. Joe Mixon got his
You know once of the best ways to help out a rookie quarterback making just his second NFL start? Lean heavy on the run game, and don't make the young fella do too much.
And although the Bengals eventually lost their tenth game of 2019, Joe Mixon did as much as he could for Ryan Finley Sunday afternoon at the OACC.
While the physical running back's numbers were noticeably down from his impressive rookie campaign, Mixon returned to form a little bit against the Silver and Black, carrying the ball 15 times for 86 yards and a touchdown.
No disrespect to Ryan Finley, but Mixon was Cincinnati's best option offensively, and he was a problem for Paul Guenther's defense much of the afternoon.
5. Derek Carr was a machine
Carr's 2019 stat lines haven't been overly impressive each week – they haven't had to be – but Carr made sure to do his thing Sunday afternoon.
Not only did DC complete his first 14 passes of the afternoon, he was in total control of the offense, and when the Bengals gave him chances to force the issue downfield, Carr did just that.
In total, No. 4 completed 25 of 29 attempts for 292 yards and a touchdown, and while he did throw a pick, his first since Week 7, it didn't end up coming back to bite the Silver and Black.
Carr is playing an incredibly efficient brand of football, and that's a big reason why the Raiders are two games over .500.
6. The Bengals didn't roll over
It's easy to look at the schedule and see a winless Bengals team coming to town, and say, 'oh, yeah, easy W,' but give Cincinnati credit, they didn't look like a team fighting their first win of the season against the Silver and Black.
The Bengals struck first in the Week 11 clash at the OACC, as Joe Mixon pounded in a touchdown from three yards out late in the first quarter to give Cincinnati an early lead.
That lead didn't last long, as Foster Moreau and the Raiders roared back to tie things up, and while the Silver and Black never relinquished that lead en route to their sixth win of the 2019 season, the Bengals didn't make things easy on them the entire day.
There's no such thing as a cakewalk in the NFL, and while Finley and Co., came up short for the tenth time this season, they didn't go away quietly.
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.
