If you sketched an outline of how not to begin what are five straight games away from Oakland, a 34-14 loss to Minnesota would have covered all points.
NFL
How the team performed in a 34-14 loss against the Vikings.
The next 21,367 air miles figure to define how the season plays out for the Raiders. They play five straight games away from home and likely won’t be favored in any.
The second quarter from hell for the home side eventually sent Kansas City to victory before 52,748 at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum.
How the team performed in its loss to the Chiefs.
Making things difficult on Joe Flacco and the Broncos helped produce a 24-16 victory, but having to manage Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday is another story.
Think of it as a silver and black exorcism, the faithful’s way of expunging from their minds any trace of Antonio Brown as the team beats Denver 24-16 to open its season.
A breakdown by position for Monday night’s game.
It was March of 2017, inside a swanky Phoenix resort, where Mark Davis’ team received well above the 24 votes needed to approve the team’s relocation from Oakland to Southern Nevada.
For nothing else, beating Denver on Monday night would signal a positive first act to move past the drama that was Antonio Brown.
Winning in pro sports — or at least the opportunity to do so, however slight those chances might be for the Raiders this season — is more important than anything not named breathing.
Wherever the truth lies within the silver and black cauldron of nonsense created by the Raiders trading for Brown, the conclusion should be obvious.
If it isn’t encompassing every thought of those around Las Vegas, the idea that 2020 will officially make Southern Nevada one of 32 coveted NFL destinations is undoubtedly on the minds of most.
How can a guy like the Pro Bowl wide receiver, who works so hard on his craft — more committed and diligent and driven than anyone, says head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr — also be so contentious about something like which helmet he wears?
It was a tepid beginning overall to the HBO series this season, not compelling by most any standard, with some punchy one-liners and the much publicized hot air balloon ride.