There’s an old adage that says ‘build a team to win the division’, meaning that you start the roster construction by managing talent and skills so that they match what the opposing teams are doing. If you beat the division, you should go to the playoffs (2010 notwithstanding).
It’s even more pronounced when a divisional rival has dominated you. This young Raiders team has been put together to win and over the past 2 years, that has really shone. In 2015, the team still struggled against the talented Broncos and Chiefs. In 2016 on Sunday Night Football, the Raiders got over the Denver hump with a dominant performance, but despite all the successes of that magical 12-4 season, the two losses to the Chiefs stuck out like a sore thumb.