Mayfield: We've shown potential throughout the whole season, not just last week. The way we finished the last two drives in New Orleans, we've shown streaks and little spurts of our potential and how explosive we can be if we just do our jobs. I'm excited now. We've got three weeks under our belt and we just got to keep getting better every week.

CB.com: How much did your chemistry with guys like Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins help when you were summoned to play, and how easy does a receiver like Jarvis Landry make your transition even though you haven't thrown to him as much?

Mayfield: I think training camp with those other guys definitely paid off. Every rep paid off with getting the timing down and trusting them to know what they're doing. I was able to communicate exactly what we want. Jarvis is just a baller, man. I know exactly what he's going to do. There's something about it; he just plays the game. We have our schemes and a lot of times plays don't go the way you want them to. You've got to play ball at that point and he's one of those guys that knows how to do that.

CB.com: Growing up, what did you think of when you thought of the Oakland Raiders?

Mayfield: Nasty defense. You hear about the Black Hole. There's a lot of stories I've heard throughout the week. The big, bad Oakland Raiders, you talk about their reputation. All of it encompasses that.

CB.com: What have you seen on film of their defense?

Mayfield: A veteran group. A lot of guys that have a lot of experience and know what they're doing. I've seen that so I'm expecting them to try to trick me and do a couple of different things they haven't shown on film and rely on experience. I'm looking forward to this matchup.

CB.com: What do you like most about playing on the road?

Mayfield: The fact that it's just us, just our team with our backs against the wall. You've got to love going to a place like Oakland where they're screaming at you and throwing stuff. It's a mentality of 'it's just us.' We're all we have and it's us against the world. That's what I love about it.

CB.com: Do you feed off the negative energy from road crowds?

Mayfield: It's always fun to play in front of a crowd like that, but I wouldn't necessarily say I feed off it. I think you see exactly what type of men you have on your team. You see what true character a guy has when his back's against the wall and being tested. I love it and I love to see it about myself and am looking forward to that kind of environment Sunday.

CB.com: You weren't here the last couple of years, but did you sense the overall relief getting a win meant for the franchise?