I have a strong urge to start this article out with a simple acronym: "Lol."

That was my first reaction as I learned that the Kansas City Chiefs got absolutely destroyed by an average Buffalo Bills team 41-7—at home.

Then the San Diego Chargers came out sloppy against a below-average Minnesota Vikings team, pulling off a narrow victory at home. Running back Mike Tolbert, who scored three times, was knocked out with what looked like a serious injury.

Wow.

So now with the Chiefs exposed for what they truly are and San Diego having another slow start, you have to wonder if this is "that year" for the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders play the weak Denver Broncos tomorrow night in the Week 1 NFL finale on ESPN's Monday Night Football.

If Oakland can make a statement by smashing Denver, they'll have a one-game lead over everyone in the division.

Next week, the other three AFC West teams play some formidable opponents.

Kansas City will have to travel to Detroit and defend Matt Stafford's passing attack. If the Chiefs gave up four touchdowns to Ryan Fitzpatrick, what will Stafford produce?

Denver faces the surprising Cincinnati Bengals, who played underdog in a win over the Cleveland Browns today.

And San Diego plays a true AFC powerhouse in the New England Patriots.

The Raiders play the Bills. So, it's extremely possible that if the Raiders win Monday, they will have a realistic shot at starting the season 2-0 while San Diego goes 1-1 and the other AFC West teams start 0-2.

That would give the Raiders a comfortable lead as they head back to Oakland to battle the New York Jets in the home-opener.

With the Raiders having the best rushing attack in the league, they could very well expose Denver's weak defense on national television.

Let's face it: This is the perfect opportunity for Oakland. If they can pull off a win in Week 1, they'll get a quick start similar to that of Kansas City's in 2010.

 

Follow Ezra Ruiz on Twitter.