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3 Reasons Why Oakland Will Represent The AFC In Super Bowl LI

It has been 14 years since the Oakland Raiders last appeared in the Super Bowl, but this will be the year the Silver and Black return.

The Raiders are currently atop the AFC West with a record of 7-2 and sit within the top five of most power rankings.

It's been years since Oakland was involved in any type of playoff discussion, much less the Super Bowl, but a convincing win over the last year's champs puts the team in the conversation with the New England Patriots.

This team is far different than what fans and the rest of the NFL is used to seeing from the Raiders. They have a coach who will be around for years to come; a young quarterback climbing the ranks; and play-makers at wide receiver and running back.

The one area the team is lacking is on defense, however, the performance against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night may be a sign that it could be improving.

The Patriots may be the favorite to reach yet another Super Bowl, but here are three reasons why the Raiders will represent the AFC in Super Bowl LI.

1. Jack Del Rio believes in the team and the team believes in Jack Del Rio

Del Rio may not be in the same class as a guy like Bill Belichick or won a Super Bowl as a head coach like Mike McCarthy or Pete Carroll, but he has earned the trust of the entire Raiders team and organization.

When a team gives everything they have for its head coach, great things can happen. Del Rio earned that trust by putting his trust in the players.

Leaving the offense on for a big fourth down play; attempting a two point conversion to win a game instead of an extra point to tie; and backing a defense even after a poor performance have helped Del Rio take the lead of this Raiders team.

The connection between Del Rio and the team is similar to the way the Seattle Seahawks respond to Carroll. The Seahawks have been one of the best teams in football and made two Super Bowl appearances since Carroll took control of the team.

Not only has Del Rio earned the trust from his players, but the fans love him as well. He's from the Bay Area and grew up as a Raiders fan.

2. Derek Carr is turning into an elite quarterback

Other than the 2001 Baltimore Ravens and 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a quarterback playing at an elite level is one of the keys to winning a Super Bowl.

Carr isn't just playing at a high level right now, but he is turning into an elite quarterback in the NFL.

Carr has thrown for 17 touchdowns, only three interceptions and he's on pace to shatter his career record in yards.

The maturity and leadership shown is something that has been missing from a Raiders quarterback since Rich Gannon was under center.

His numbers against the Broncos on Sunday weren't incredible, but he did what needed to be done to walk out with the victory. That's one of the signs of a young quarterback developing into a winner.

It also helps that Carr has two receivers who would be number one options on most teams in the league and an offensive line which is keeping him upright.

3. The team has the ability to win on the road

If a team can finish with a .500 record in road games, it usually means that team had a successful season. Not only are the Raiders above .500 on the road so far, but they are undefeated at 5-0.

The Raiders finish its seasons with three out of the last four games on the road against division opponents. Those three road games will determine where Oakland falls in the playoff picture.

After those three games, we will find out whether the Raiders win the AFC West, earn a Wild Card spot or miss the playoffs completely.

Whether they are playing in Oakland with Raider Nation going crazy or in Arrowhead Stadium with Chiefs Kingdom roaring, the confidence to win any where at any time is huge.

It also helps that Raider Nation travels as well as any fan base in the National Football League.

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