Oakland Raiders Jab to Move Up in the NFL but Need Knockouts to Win

If you barely win, you still win the game of NFL football. The wins may be ugly, but nevertheless, they move the Oakland Raiders up on the contour of wins through Week 12.

Here's a little data for you to peruse:

AFC	NFC
avg	avg
6	5.25	East
6.75	6.75	North
4.25	5.25	South
5.25	4.75	West
5.5625	5.5

In order to get a better view of the progress of the Oakland Raiders, we need to observe the data and put it into context. For example, the Raiders dominate the AFC West, but the AFC West ranks third out of the four divisions in the AFC.

Also, there is only one game separating the top AFC West team and the team in second place.

Also, note that the Oakland Raiders are amid six other teams that have seven wins by Week 12.

Clearly, the Raiders are above average in the NFL, yet it seems a bit strange that in the Chicago Bears game, the Raiders special teams made most of the points, with only one touchdown in the fourth quarter.

It is wonderful to have one of the best kickers in the NFL, but, to me, Raiders football took on a more aggressive form in the old days. Also, fourth quarter performance was much stronger in earlier eras than it is in 2011.

Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the three consecutive victories the Raiders have accomplished in 2011. Those wins remind me of a boxer who jabs and jabs and jabs until his opponent is bloody and tired. It would please some of us more though if the Raiders would give some solid, hard punches and knock the opponent down with force to win the match.

In other words, those field goals are good "jabs." We just want a blow like some of those heavyweight champions were known for in the boxing ring. To me, a touchdown is a forceful punch to the opponent on the playing field.

This is my opinion. What do you think?