Undefeated Raiders simply turned the primary group in NFL historical past to tug off this inconceivable feat


The Raiders have been some of the stunning groups within the NFL this 12 months and one large purpose for that’s as a result of nobody actually anticipated them to start out 3-0. 

When the 2021 NFL schedule got here out in Might, the Raiders have been dealt a brutal opening slate with their first three video games coming in opposition to the Ravens, Steelers and Dolphins. On paper, that a part of the schedule appeared like a nightmare with all three of these groups successful 10 or extra video games final 12 months (The Ravens went 11-5, the Steelers went 12-4 and the Dolphins completed 10-6). 

Regardless of the lengthy odds — the Raiders have been solely favored to win in one of many three video games — Las Vegas nonetheless got here out on prime all thrice, which allowed them to make NFL historical past. The three wins marks the primary time ever {that a} group has began 3-0 with every of their wins coming in opposition to a group that received 10 or extra video games the earlier 12 months.

Groups have opened the season with three straight wins in opposition to playoff groups from the prior 12 months — the Rams simply completed that feat this season — however no group had ever performed what the Raiders simply did. 

A giant purpose the Raiders have been capable of get off to such a scorching begin is due to Derek Carr, who leads the NFL in passing yards by way of three weeks with 1,203 yards. That is an unimaginable common of greater than 400 yards per recreation, and if that sounds excessive, that is as a result of it’s. That quantity represents the fourth-highest passing complete in NFL historical past by way of three video games, trailing solely Tom Brady (1,327 in 2011 with the Patriots), Ryan Fitzpatrick (1,230 in 2018 with the Buccaneers) and Kurt Warner (1,221 in 2000 with the Rams).

The Raiders have additionally made a behavior of successful shut video games. Two of their three wins have are available in additional time, making them simply the fourth group in NFL historical past that has received a number of additional time video games by way of the primary three weeks of the season. 

This is a have a look at how the opposite three groups completed the 12 months: 

1994 Lions (9-7): Misplaced in wild-card spherical. 
1995 Falcons (9-7): Misplaced in wild-card spherical. 
1995 Chiefs (13-3): Misplaced in divisional spherical. 

As you possibly can see, all three of these groups made the playoffs, which might be a strong achievement for a Raiders group that has solely been to the postseason one time since 2003. 

This season marks the thirteenth time that the Raiders have began 3-0 and the primary time since 2002. If the earlier 12 cases are any indication, then the Raiders ought to be in for a profitable season. 

This is a have a look at how have a look at how these 3-0 seasons ended: 

  • They’ve gone to the playoffs 11 of the 12 instances that they’ve began 3-0.
  • In 9 of these 12 seasons, they made all of it the way in which to the AFC title recreation.
  • 4 of the 12 3-0 seasons ended with a visit to the Tremendous Bowl, together with two years the place the Raiders received all of it.

Mainly, historical past is favoring the Raiders proper now, which is an efficient factor, as a result of the soccer gods have not been very form to this group over the previous 18 years. 

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