Do the Oakland Raiders "See" Their Gaps, Breaks, and Oscillations?

The Content

One of my B/R associates wrote an article which mentions the need for continuity. The fact that he has identified the need for continuity points to the reality of the existence of "discontinuities" in the performance of the Oakland Raiders.

A definition of continuity, from a mathematical standpoint, can help us study the structural and functional problems in the performance of the Oakland Raiders. This is the job of an analyst, and it can certainly help us see more clearly what is happening to the Oakland Raiders without regard to flaws in personalities and other factors which may not be measurable, but are definitely observable.

The Context

Date	Opponent	Score
9/14/2009	San Diego	L 24 - 20
9/20/2009	at Kansas City	W 13 - 10
9/27/2009	Denver	L 23 - 3
10/4/2009	at Houston	L 29 - 6
10/11/2009	at N.Y. Giants	L 44 - 7
10/18/2009	Philadelphia	W 13 - 9
10/25/2009	N.Y. Jets	L 38 - 0
11/1/2009	at San Diego	L 24 - 16
11/15/2009	Kansas City	L 16 - 10
11/22/2009	Cincinnati	W 20 - 17
11/26/2009	at Dallas	L 24 - 7
12/6/2009	at Pittsburgh	W 27 - 24
12/13/2009	Washington	L 34 - 13
12/20/2009	at Denver	W 20 - 19
12/27/2009	at Cleveland	L 23 - 9

Another way to look at the data to see the pattern, showing the gaps, and oscillations is presented:

I defined a mapping using 0 value for loss, and 5 for win. Notice the three consecutive losses at two different time periods. It indicates the "gaps" in effective performance.

During 2009, there were two time periods where the Oakland Raiders experienced three consecutive losses. There was no time period where the inverse behaviors existed. In other words, there is no time period during the 2009 season that the Oakland Raiders won three consecutive games.

Now, the oscillation is demonstrated near the end of the season. The pattern is W-L-W-L-W-L. Even in the medical world, this would be interpreted as an irregular heartbeat, indicating a sign of abnormality.

Now the breaks occurred when the injuries occurred, especially to our quarterback who gave us a good indication that the pattern could be significantly altered.

The Conclusion

Eventually a variety of techniques will be used to study the performance of the Oakland Raiders, both globally and locally, and the team and the individual players.

Sometimes it just helps us face reality when we communicate data in several ways, using words, pictures, numbers, and symbols.

On New Year's Day 2009, we, therefore, ask for a re-commitment to excellence so that when we analyze, graph, and interpret the data for 2010 and beyond, we will see new patterns of growth and excellent performance.

I might add that in a mathematical discussion, we have two types of discontinuities: removable, and essential (or non-removable).

Is Al Davis contributing to an essential discontinuity, which is not removable (at least not easily)?

The removable discontinuities requiring us to "define or re-define" the places where gaps occur can be compared to players who are traded, drafted, and more. Oakland can "define" a new dynamic in the team if and when they bring the right people onto the playing field.

Oakland can "re-define" what happens on the playing field by re-structuring, or benching those players who have questionable performance. Those players who have not had a chance to "show their stuff" ought to be considered in the future.

Again, Happy New Year, Raider Nation and Oakland Raiders!

Finally, do you see what I see?

Source: USAToday