ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Jack Del Rio seemed almost shocked as he walked into the news conference Tuesday and made his way past a growing group of TV cameras and reporters.
''I thought it would be thin today,'' Del Rio said, about nine hours after the Raiders arrived back in California following a 27-20 win over the Houston Texans in Mexico City.
Del Rio should probably get used to the extra attention at this point - even if some of the chatter is about potential stadium deals for the team.
At 8-2, the Raiders have a one-game lead in the AFC West and are tied with the New England Patriots for the best record in the conference - a remarkable turnaround for a team that lost its first 10 games two years ago and hasn't had a winning season since last making the playoffs in 2002.