This week's "MNF" game features the Texans and Raiders in Mexico City, and while his team is losing a home game in Oakland, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio understands the game is "good for the league's brand," according to Vic Tafur of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Del Rio: "There are a lot of benefits for the league in that way. I think for us, honestly, I prefer for that not to be our home game. ... We just understand what it is, prepare ourselves for it and go down there and have fun competing." Raiders RB Latavius Murray said that fans in Mexico City "treat the Raiders' players like rock stars." Raiders OT Donald Penn said, "It’s something nice to do, taking the NFL to Mexico City. I know we have a huge Latino following, so it should be like a home game with a lot of fans in there rocking. I am looking forward to it" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/16). In San Jose, Tim Kawakami wrote there will be "many more Raiders fans in attendance than Texans fans-including many regular seat-ticket-holders in a sold-out Estadio Azteca." The Raiders did this "voluntarily for a second time" because Owner Mark Davis believes he has an "international brand that will grow even larger with more international exposure." Also, the Raiders "don’t make as much money per home game as most other franchises do." Davis wants to be in "good league favor as the other owners consider his hopes to move the team to Las Vegas." But there is "always a cost for this." Teams have "struggled through any season when they gave up a home game in this International Series" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 11/17).
BAD TIMING: In Sacramento, Andy Furillo wrote the Raiders are "getting the raw end of the deal." The team "could use the home-field advantage" that they are losing at a "crucial time in their history." Viewers watching the game at home "should see about 1,500 signs reading 'Quédate En Oakland' in Estadio Azteca’s version of the Black Hole." The English translation -- "Stay in Oakland" -- has become a "popular slogan in the East Bay these days as fans fight to keep their team from moving to Las Vegas." Oakland fan groups "plan to distribute the signs at the game Monday" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 11/17).
BLACK HOLE, SON: SI's Austin Murphy writes in a "crucial twist, the NFL's most raucous, least inhibited fans stand poised to lose their team" just as the Raiders are "returning to their past glory." Despite Davis' "never-ending quest to bolt," Raiders fans remain "remarkably loyal to the team." Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has "repeatedly stated that the city will not engage in a bidding war" with the state of Nevada over a Raiders-to-Vegas deal. Murphy: "All is not lost for Oakland." Based on Davis' "track record in striking stadium deals, never underestimate" his ability to "spin gold into straw." And there is "no guarantee that Davis will clear the 24-owner hurdle." Should the team leave Oakland, it would be "trading the nation's sixth-largest TV market for its 40th." That is "no small concern as the NFL grapples with double-digit decline in ratings" (SI, 11/21 issue).
