Consistency is the Key to Success

It's nice to win games by 45 points and to beat your division rival for the first time in 14 games but it doesn't mean a thing if you go out a lose the next week to someone you should beat. This was the scenario coming off the Chargers game heading into the 49er game and now coming off the pummeling of the Broncos to head home and face the Seahawks. In order to keep momentum going throughout a season, you must be able to win consecutive games, and that's one thing that has alluded the Raiders the past seven years. They would beat an opponent like the Eagles last year, then get hammered by the Jets 38-0. Then later in the year, beat the AFC South Champion Bengals, followed by a loss to the Cowboys 24-7. Beat the Steelers in the Steel City, followed by a loss to the lowly Redskins 34-13. Then beat the Broncos in Denver, followed by a disastrous loss to the Browns 23-9. They weren't even competitive in the games that followed a loss last year. This is something that this year's team is going to have to overcome. We have seen it so far this year, however. This is why this week is so important. They have another chance at getting to .500 for the first time this late in the season since their Super Bowl year in 2002. Then they would play host to the division leading Chiefs at home. They can start to make a statement to the division and the league that they are ready to take that next step at competing for a playoff spot. If they can head into their bye week at 5-4 and 3-0 in the division, it will be theirs for the taking. This division is open to whoever wants to take charge. The Broncos and Chargers don't look like they want it all that bad. The Chargers of the two would have the best shot at making a run, given their history and the talent level on the team. Even at that, they are 2-5 and would have to win 8 of 9 just to get to 10-6. Right now for this team, it is all about focusing on this week. Just worry about the next game, then the next game, and so on. Keep repeating the effort and work on being consistent and the rest will take care of itself.