Sure, no one likes to root for a losing team, much less cover one where you have to pay attention to the littlest of details for a team that just can't seem to do anything right. But, we love the game regardless, and those who cheer for and cover the Raiders are grateful for the good memories we do have from this team.
But, let's stop and be honest for a second. While it's awful to see this team be 2-7, the Raiders needed to lose this game to the Cincinnati Bengals. Their season is over in terms of playoff hopes, and it's been that way for a while.
But, while the coaches and players will never intentionally lose, this team needs to tank. It's obvious that the Raiders need their quarterback of the future, and it feels like this offseason may finally be the one that sees them getting that.
Now, whether it will be Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, or someone else, we still don't know. But what we do know is that a loss on Sunday to the Bengals, as well as a few teams above them winning, equals a win for the Raiders on Sunday.
Raiders win after loss to Bengals
The Raiders lost a pretty big game, but others around them who were ahead of them in the draft order or right behind them, ended up winning, boosting the Raiders from seventh last week, to fifth now.
It started with the New York Jets and their Thursday Night Football win over the Houston Texans. That's what moved the Raiders from seventh to sixth. Then, the Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints, giving the Panthers one more win and tying the Raiders.
So, that could help down the road.
The New England Patriots, who currently sit at No. 1, lost to the Tennessee Titans, who have now fallen behind the Raiders. The teams who are still above the Raiders are as follows in this order:
New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, and the Cleveland Browns. Just behind them are the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins, who the Raiders play next after the bye week, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And, some of these teams ahead of the Raiders still play one another, so things could change drastically.
The Raiders need to lose to Miami badly, and they need some help, too. This was a good week for the Raiders if they have plans of doing what they should be doing.
