(This article was written by Drew Hoffar, host of KNBR 1050’s The Audible)
The Oakland Raiders did something Sunday they hadn’t accomplished in over 16 years.
The silver and black overcame a third quarter deficit of 15-plus points to beat the Buffalo Bills by a score of 38-24. The last time the Raiders sprinted uphill in this fashion was their Week 2 matchup with the Colts in 2000, nine months into Y2K, when they hung 31 points in the second half to beat Peyton Manning, 38-31.
On Sunday, the Raider Nation witnessed nostalgia. The key moment to the Raiders win was authoring a wicked 29-0 scoring run that was ignited when Oakland Quarterback Derek Carr put his signature on a 9-play 75yd drive in the third quarter. Carr whipped a slingshot pass to the back of the end zone for Michael Crabtree, who hopped off the line and broke inside to beat Bills corner Ronald Darby. Raider Nation had hope, but no one knew for certain that moment would spark their march towards the biggest comeback win of the year — and their sixth straight victory overall.
For the second week in a row defensive end Khalil Mack made his case for Defensive Player of the Year, with another strip sack. Late in the fourth quarter, Mack pinned his ears back and outmuscled Bills tackle Jordan Mills before dipping inside to rip the ball away from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. It was an ice cold move that had every Raiders fan foaming at the mouth.
Carr continued his campaign as the knight in silver and black armor. MVP? He is the front runner right now in my mind. When it comes to crunch time and the pressure to perform is real, Carr puts his stamp on games. When the Raiders have trailed in the second half this season, Carr has 13 touchdowns and ZERO interceptions. This season is turning into a dream year and it’s wild to think that the team’s biggest test is yet to come.
With a record of 10-2, and currently the first overall seed in the AFC, the Raiders still have to beat hated division rival Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) on Thursday Night Football. In a cold and wet Week 6 match at The Coliseum, KC hit the Raiders in the mouth with a 26-10 win.
Since that time, the Raiders haven’t looked back.
This is an ancient rivalry, and on a short week with little preparation, this installment should produce another all-time classic between these two proud AFC West franchises. These are two teams that know each other well, and I’d imagine Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is putting in a few more hours at the office this week.
The stage is set for a first place showdown this Thursday night at Arrowhead. Another win would change this fan’s mindset from a dream-like season, to actual hopes for Super Bowl XLI in Houston come February.
