Oakland Raiders in Good Shape After Huge Win

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Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates his game winning touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium with quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Jalen Richard (30). Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

Learning How to Win

When quarterback Derek Carr and edge rusher Khalil Mack were drafted in 2014, they had a tough assignment. It wasn’t just to come in and play well, they had to change a losing culture. These young men didn’t have the most experience but they had to lead.

That didn’t work out so well in Year 1 with a 3-13 record, suffering blowout loses. But in Year 2, they improved to 7-9 and were much more competitive. But the young Raiders hadn’t quite figured out how to put that last nail in the coffin.

They were good for thrilling you with a victory they had to snatch from the jaws of defeat. But they were also good for breaking your heart by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Fumbles, dropped passes and incorrect routes leading to interceptions did it.

They were 5-5 in games decided by seven points or less in 2015 but so far this year, they’re 3-1. Carr said to the media about their growth in area earlier this season, “We learned how to compete last year. This year, We’re learning how to win.”

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