Oakland Raiders loss to New York Jets raises questions about their future

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Yes, the Oakland Raiders have lost three games in a row with the loss to the New York Jets last Sunday (37-27). The Raiders went from being playoff contenders to looking like the same ol’ Raiders from the last ten years.

What will the Raiders do now with three games left in the season and what are the future plans for General Manager Reggie McKenzie? Who should he let go and who should stay?

It’s tough to say anything in this aspect because the Raiders have many problems to solve for the next NFL season. One is the quarterback. Yes, this position is one of the most important ones, and the Raiders have no solution.

So far this season, the Raiders started three quarterbacks. The last, Matthew McGloin, is hanging in there by a thread. He was an undrafted rookie, but the kid has been throwing touchdowns, unlike Terrelle Pryor and Matt Flynn, who was let go and is currently resurging with his old team the Green Bay Packers.

McGloin came into the rescue after Pryor was unable to throw for a touchdown for a whole month, but had 10 interceptions. McGloin has hit his speedbumps, but, at least, he’s putting up numbers as a quarterback should.

Next, the Raiders defense started rather well this season but has been suffering in the last few games. Their last three losses were due to the defense not being able to hold out.

The roster for the defense is made up of cheap one-deal contracts, McKenzie’s adjustments for dealing with a payroll limit in the offseason and that might be the problem. The Raiders need more depth for their defense and the veterans need to get more involved.

Special teams were the best part of the Oakland Raiders, but now, special teams is just not doing too well. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski has missed too many field goals this season and new punter Marquette King has been blocked a few times with two returned for touchdowns!

Last of all, some of the coaches could be saying goodbye to the Silver and Black. Head coach Dennis Allen has been seen as lacking inspirational skills. The Raiders simply lost every second half in every game this season. There’s gotta be some lack of inspiration, right?

If the Oakland Raiders don’t win two of their last three games, Dennis Allen might not have a job when the season is over. Also, defensive coordinator Jason Tarver could also get the boot, even though he had a young squad to work with. The same goes for Greg Olson. The offensive coordinator could be out the door as well for not using the running game well, in particular for leaving Marcel Reece out for most of the season.

So, the Raiders better play with pride or else many people may go next year. One for sure will be Darren McFadden. The fragile running back never amounted to anything but just a promise that never was fulfilled. Sorry Darren, but you have to go! A team can’t spend money on a running back that gets hurt every season.

J.L. Herrera

J. L. Herrera has been a creative writer for many years. His true passion is to write short stories, poetry, and screenplays. Some of his poetry and short stories have been published throughout the internet. He is currently working as a freelance writer and copywriter where he has published many articles on the Internet, mostly about the football, soccer, and current events. He is also an experienced English Literature and ESL teacher in Los Angeles where he taught at the secondary level for almost eleven years.