Oakland Raiders and the Bye Week: Good to Get Healthy, Bad for Momentum?

As the kick sailed through the uprights on the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders game Sunday, most fans were breathing a sigh of relief. A three-game winning streak, paired up with an impressive defense had the team looking at the bye week as a chance to improve on an already well-working offensive machine.

To say the team needs this bye is understated. With the likes of Nmandi Asomugha, Zach Miller, Louis Murphy, Chaz Schilens and others out, the Raiders were starting to run on bits and pieces.

Sure, Jacoby Ford stepped off the sidelines and etched his name into the Raider Nation lore with his actions, but without Zach Miller, Jason Campbell wouldn't have had to rely on hoping Darrius Heyward-Bey would be able to catch a pass. As it was, Bey was shut out—not by defense, but his inability to catch.

For Oakland, seeing what this team will be like, at full power should be a fun sight to see. With the full contingent of WR options (Schilens, Jacoby Ford, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy and if needed, Johnnie Lee Higgins) plus the occasional TE theatrics from Zach Miller, Oakland should see some good numbers.

Maybe.

One has to wonder how the week off will affect the Raiders, given the time off between two key games. Oakland's next contest, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, could be with the Raiders officially in first place, should the Denver Broncos win against the Chiefs.

Likewise, the Raiders after their two-week winning streak at the end of the 2008 season did nothing for the Raiders coming out of the gate in 2009.

I know there's a wide difference between a week off and a full offseason.

One thing that should bode well for the Raiders favor is who takes the snaps from the center. With Jason Campbell, you have a quarterback who has slowly but more recently responded to the needs of the Raiders offensive scheme. In Bruce Gradkowski, you have a quarterback who is...