But the former Australia and Queensland winger says if the Green Machine come to grips with that burden, then they're good enough to win the competition.

The Raiders were 10th on the ladder going into this weekend's bye, after they started the season as one of the premiership favourites.

They've had a string of tough, close losses, including three in golden point, that could have easily gone the other way and seen them much higher up the NRL ladder.

After training until Wednesday, the Raiders were given four days off to get away from football and will return to the training track on Monday.

Then they'll get ready to try and break a two-game losing streak when they host the Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

Tate put their "up and down" start to the season down to great expectations going into the campaign.

He played 67 of his 229 NRL games for the Cowboys and said they also struggled to handle expectation.

While the Cows played finals every year Tate was there, they never went past the semi-finals, but managed to go all the way to win the premiership the season after Tate retired due to injury.

"They're probably struggling under the weight of expectation that they've had this year and I think the longer the season goes the better they'll be and you almost find your niche and how to handle it and get your head around it," he said.

"They're a bit up and down at the moment, but they're too quality not to be there at the end of the year, that's for sure.

"I was at the Cowboys at the back end of my career and we sort of had the same thing where pre-season everyone's talking about you being a premiership favourite and there were times where we didn't handle it real well either.

"At the end of the day a lot of expectation comes internally, but the longer the season goes and you find your niche and ... all of a sudden you start winning.

"They're up and down, but if they can get it right and internally get all on the same page, when the whips are cracking they're going to be there somewhere."

Codehopper Wendell Sailor called for the Raiders to send a message to the rest of the NRL in their clash with the Broncos.

It was a sentiment Tate shared.

The Broncos also have the bye this weekend and are coming off a tight loss to the Sydney Roosters in their last outing.

They'll be without injured five-eighth Anthony Milford (shoulder).

Tate said the key for the Raiders was becoming more consistent, something they've struggled with this season.

He said Canberra had enough strike power "to blow any team off the park"

"If they can get it right they're going to be very hard to beat. But that's the big key for them is getting it right and doing it consistently," Tate said.

"If they get it right from now into the back end of the year, they've got enough strike to blow any team off the park.

"They're still in and around the top eight so it's not panic stations.

"Starting next week against the Broncs it's probably a good opportunity for them to make a statement to be honest.

"At the end of the day, Canberra have got a really good opportunity to do what they want in this competition because they've definitely got a team that can win the comp.

"It's up to them of where they want to leave their mark at the Raiders."