The Raiders Bug?

I ask this in all seriousness: Is there a Raiders "contagion" or "infection" that maybe explains the past 20 years? 

How can we allegedly significantly upgrade at GM, head coach, QB and RB (and special advisor in Brady) this year plus Bowers and still look the same as the McDummy regime, Pierce regime, and on and on. 

Like, it's not only the same RESULTS, but also the same WAY of losing. I mean, how many TIMES have you seen a dumb close loss just like this one against the Bears, or a no-show just like we saw against the Commanders and their backup QB.  

It's uncanny and mind boggling. These are like clones of clones of clones of Raiders games past. Do new GM, coach and player regimes come in and catch a sort of Raiders bug?  

Bears Gameday Thread

Getting this one going early for two reasons: I'm gonna be on the run this weekend, and we need to wash the taste of last weekend out of our mouths.

Now THIS match, this one feels sort of a like a must win, right?

GO RAIDERS! 

Commanders Gameday Thread

This feels like a good 'measuring stick' game for week three. 

The Commanders have the same record at 1-1. They seemed to have lost a bit off last year's fastball, while the Raiders are presumably on the ascent from last season.  

The offense needs to step up after Monday's debacle. Geno isn't the type of QB who can transcend poor protection. All the Bowers and Jeantys and Genos aren't going to help much if you can't generate time and lanes on the line.  

The difference between 1-2 and 2-1 feels like a gulf for some reason.  So let's see them put it together and steal one on the road and get some momentum going. 

GO RAIDERS! 

Chargers Gamenight Thread

I'm not gonna say that this is a must-win game, not even close.

But I do think it will be a bit of a litmus test. 

The Chiefs are vulnerable right now, creating a bit of a vacuum in the AFC West, which we haven't had for quite a while. Meanwhile, the Chargers and Broncos appear to be on the upswing compared to recent years.  

So the question is: are the Raiders now an upwardly mobile franchise in the AFC West that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the class of the division?

Or are we simply an improving team but stuck in the midlands for a while?

Tonight could help us start to answer those questions.

GO RAIDERS! 

Patriots Gameday Thread

For opening day, I feel oddly unmoved. 

How many years have we been right here, with all of the preseason hype and another new regime and cries of "this time it's different" followed by all of us saying "prove it" followed by more of the same. 

I'm not sure how much the Raiders are going to prove this year, but please, please, the only thing I ask for is DIFFERENT. This is my 21st season at Raider Take. Please let this one be an actual beginning to something different and promising rather than just another beginning to a predictable end. 

GO RAIDERS! 

Bye, Bye Amari

Just as Jakobi Myers was cheerfully discussing his discontent with reporters, this news dropped: Amari Cooper is retiring after signing with the Raiders last week. 

You can't make this stuff up. Discuss.