Three and one.
The Oakland Raiders for the first time since their 2002 season are off to a 3-1 start, with all three victories coming on the road. Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, the Silver and Black proved once again to be resilient with a comeback 28-27 victory. Since last Sunday, the team has been very productive: from practice, to team meetings, and being involved in the community.
Heading into this Sunday's matchup against the San Diego Chargers, here's a look at The Week That Was.
Raiders Head Coach Jack Del Rio stopped by The Silver & Black show for his weekly chat with Chris Townsend. The two discussed a variety of topics, touching on last week's win and preparing for this Sunday.
Raiders cornerback DJ Hayden appeared on The Silver & Black Show to talk with Nicole Zaloumis about some things he enjoys doing outside of football.
If you'd like to purchase the shirt Hayden is wearing, click here.
Shilique Calhoun Is Going The Extra Mile To Be Successful In NFL
Making it to the NFL is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. Players have overcome adversity, and worked a majority of their young life trying to reach the professional level. From Pop Warner football as a kid, to high school, and college, the work remains constant and necessary to achieve the ultimate goal.
For rookie linebacker Shilique Calhoun, his dream became a reality during the 2016 NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in the third round (75th overall).
"Just to play in any game I'm excited to be a part of [it]," said Calhoun. "This organization as well, it's amazing to have the opportunity."
DJ Hayden Comfortable, Finding Success At Nickel Cornerback Position
The defensive package might have changed, but for cornerback DJ Hayden, the job remains the same; when your number is called, go out on the field and produce.
After being one of the Oakland Raiders base cornerbacks in 2015, the former first-round pick has transitioned into his role as the team's nickel cornerback, and through the first quarter of the 2016 regular season, it's a role that Hayden has thrived in.
"When my number gets called on, when they call nickel, I have to go in there and execute," said Hayden following the Raiders 28-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Now with teams often times utilizing multiple-receiver sets, Hayden isn't on the field that much less than he was last year – he played 70 percent of the defensive snaps against the Ravens – but he certainly looks comfortable in his new role, and he has the production to back it up, both in coverage, and in the open field.
Key Matchups To Watch: Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers
After an impressive road win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Oakland Raiders return home to the friendly confines of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum this Sunday to open divisional play against the San Diego Chargers.
The Week 5 clash is the first of two matchups the Silver and Black will have with Philip Rivers and Co., and although the Chargers have been decimated by injury, they still pack a potent offensive punch with Rivers at the helm.
Heading into Sunday's AFC West throw down, let's take a look at three matchups that will impact the final outcome of the game.
Perry Riley Jr. Set To Rejoin Childhood Friend Bruce Irvin In Silver And Black
Perry Riley Jr. needed a new football home, and now he has one in Oakland, and even better, that new home has a familiar face already living in it.
After being released by the Washington Redskins in August, the veteran linebacker spent the first four games of the 2016 regular season without a team, but Tuesday he officially inked a free agent deal with the Oakland Raiders.
A big reason he elected to sign with the Silver and Black? The presence of outside linebacker and childhood friend Bruce Irvin.
"He [Irvin] was the main reason," said Riley. "When my agent called and said the Raiders, I said, 'if Bruce is there, I'm all-in.' The numbers were adding up right, so here I am."
Oakland Raiders Power Rankings: Week 5
Through the first quarter of the 2016 season, the Oakland Raiders are undefeated on the road and have proved to be resilient in the face of adversity. Last Sunday, the Silver and Black pulled off a comeback win after trailing by six, when quarterback Derek Carr found Michael Crabtree in the back of the end zone for what would be the game winning score. The Raiders' final drive marked Carr's sixth game-winning since the start of the 2015 season, the most in the NFL during that time frame.
The ability to win in three consecutive games on the road has certainly caught the attention of NFL analysts around the country. The team returns from Baltimore with a win under its belt and a chance to win at home this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. The divisional battle will be the 112th matchup between the two teams, and shouldn't disappoint.
Here is our updated power rankings list, brought to you by NFL Extra Points.
Raiders in the Community:
Video of the Week:
**
**
Tweets of the Week:
