MEXICO CITY — Two years ago Sunday, the Raiders had lost 16 straight games (over two seasons) and general manager Reggie McKenzie was on the hot seat. Coach Dennis Allen had been fired seven weeks earlier and interim coach Tony Sparano actually tried burying a football for motivation.
Rookie quarterback Derek Carr had said he would have the same approach if the team was winless or undefeated, which, though sensible, didn’t have the fans fired up.
Fast forward to Monday night, and the Raiders are league darlings at 7-2 and a part of the NFL’s first international “Monday Night Football” broadcast.