The Chiefs have already claimed a victory over the Raiders, but the next three weeks will be crucial in determining what else may have been taken from that encounter.
Confidence. Momentum. Those feelings that enabled a team in transition to move from an intriguing start in September to a contender worth serious consideration.
This presents a bit of a risk following last Sunday’s close 30-27 defeat to Kansas City. With games against New England, Buffalo, and the Rams upcoming, the Raiders are pressed for time to gauge how deeply that disappointment has affected them.
And they can’t afford to let it linger.
Currently sitting at 3-1, they’ve positioned themselves to make this season more than just about development and future prospects. However, the next three matchups could decide if they continue pursuing that possibility or if they spend the fall trying to recapture it.
The difference between emerging from this stretch with a 5-2 record versus a 3-4 record is quite substantial.
A 5-2 record places the Raiders firmly in the playoff discussion. Conversely, a 3-4 record would lead them to ponder how quickly their September optimism faded.
Even ending up at 4-3 would raise questions about the direction of the team.
That’s how swiftly the stakes can shift.
The Raiders have adjusted these stakes for themselves by winning their first three games. Their performance against the Chiefs hinted that the fast start might be sustainable. However, they mustn’t dwell on merely keeping pace with Kansas City—they need to progress.
They will need to show improvement starting this Sunday against a Patriots squad that just claimed a victory over the Bills and is likely feeling confident.
New England will view this matchup as a chance to build on their momentum, and the Raiders need a similar sense of urgency. Falling to the Patriots would set them up for consecutive losses before facing Buffalo.
Then it’s on to the Rams.
There’s no breather in sight, no time to resolve an offensive slump or wait for issues to remedy themselves.
This leads us to the running game.
The Raiders are currently averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. Against the Chiefs, they managed only 43 rushing yards on 20 attempts. They stayed competitive because other areas performed adequately. Still, relying solely on other strengths won’t suffice for long.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins can make smart plays; Brock Bowers can create mismatches; and Michael Mayer can exploit defenses that overlook him. But each unsuccessful run narrows the offense’s options and complicates future plays.
Second-and-long scenarios, predictable passing situations, and tougher red zone opportunities await if they can’t keep the ground game viable.
The Raiders don’t require a complete overhaul by Sunday, but they do need noticeable improvement.
More manageable first downs. Fewer disruptions before Ashton Jeanty gets going. Sufficient consistency to make play-action credible and to relieve some of the load on Cousins.
This would also allow offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to maintain his aggressive approach.
His commitment to pursuing points and trusting his players has fostered new expectations within the organization. The loss to the Chiefs shouldn’t derail that.
However, aggressive play is only effective when supported by solid execution. The Raiders must capitalize on opportunities to seize control of games rather than letting them slip away.
Against this level of competition, those chances are far too precious.
The same goes for managing the ball effectively, both protecting it and taking it away from opponents.
The Raiders set the tone for a quick start by forcing turnovers and punishing rivals for their errors. Against the Chiefs, though, their own mistakes shifted the outcome of a tightly contested game.
The upcoming opponents are quite capable of inflicting damage—especially if given extra chances.
Thus, ball security, sound tackling, and disciplined pressure will be critical. Maxx Crosby and the defensive unit must create disruption without providing escape routes. The offense should recognize when a modest gain is sufficient. Special teams must avoid further complicating their efforts.
None of this requires the Raiders to play cautiously.
What it demands is reliability.
This is the larger test facing a team that has accelerated its developmental timeline.
Early victories built confidence. A close loss to Kansas City suggests they might be closing the competitive gap. How they respond through these upcoming difficult games could prove to be a more lasting revelation: their ability to handle setbacks, make necessary adjustments, and continue winning amidst pressure.
Perfection shouldn’t be expected. A clean sweep would indeed make a statement, but winning two out of three games would be notable progress and place the Raiders in a favorable position.
They’ve already earned the right to envision this future.
Now, they just need to protect it.
Just a month ago, the pressing question was how long it would take this new coaching staff and revamped roster to matter again.
They answered that question faster than anticipated.
Now, we must consider whether they can maintain their standing as the schedule intensifies and the recent defeat still lingers fresh in their minds.
The next three weeks should provide significant insights.
