After years of languishing as a cellar dweller, the Oakland Raiders appear poised to make a comeback. Led by the Silver and Black triplets of Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, and Amari Cooper, there’s a lot to get excited about in Oakland.
After going 7-9 in its first season under new head coach Jack Del Rio last year, Oakland enters this season with a legitimate chance to post its first winning record since the Super Bowl year of 2002. Many of the pieces seem to be in place, led by quarterback Carr and receiver Cooper. But the Raiders only ranked 23rd in the league in total offense last year and 22nd in total defense, so there's still work to be done. Plus, there's the distraction of Las Vegas.
Oakland Raiders Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Raiders Over 8.5 Wins -112
Raiders Under 8.5 Wins -107
While many feel the Raiders are primed for a breakout season, they just haven’t gotten over that hump. Collectively this group needs to grow and learn how to win games. They were too inconsistent last season, losing to the Bears and Lions while beating Denver.
And before you get too excited about this team, remember they beat just two teams that finished with a winning record and the combined ledger of the six teams they defeated was 37-59. So, while Oakland might be a media darling, be careful here. These Raiders only won seven last year despite a highly favorable schedule.
General manager Reggie McKenzie has added elite talent through the draft and free agency to construct a team that has 10-win potential. In 2014 he drafted Khalil Mack in the first round and Carr in the second. Last year, Cooper was the team’s first pick, and plenty is expected from those three to get the Raiders more victories.
2016 Oakland Raiders Schedule
Week 1: at New Orleans Saints -2
Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons +3.5
Week 3: at Tennessee Titans +2.5
Week 4: at Baltimore Ravens -2
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers +4.5
Week 6: vs. Kansas City Chiefs PK
Week 7: at Jacksonville Jaguars PK
Week 8: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers PK
Week 9: vs. Denver Broncos -1
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: vs. Houston Texans +2
Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers -3
Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills +1.5
Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs -4.5
Week 15: at San Diego Chargers +1
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts +1
Week 17: at Denver Broncos
The Raiders won’t sneak up on anyone this year. If they can handle life in the spotlight, they have enough talent to end their 14-year playoff drought. They play three of their first four games on the road, including trips to New Orleans and Baltimore, and it will be crucial for them to get through that stretch without too much damage.
QUICK PICK
Del Rio took over a Raiders team last year that was coming off a 3-13 season and more than doubled that win total, finishing 7-9. The Raiders haven’t made the playoffs or finished above .500 since 2002 when they reached Super Bowl XXXVII. But expectations are soaring in Oakland this year, and a return to the postseason and double-digit wins appear to be reasonable goals instead of pipe dreams.
The Raiders made big strides on offense last season and should be even better this year in Carr’s third NFL campaign and second under offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. The Raiders went from last in total offense to 24th, from 31st in scoring to 17th, from 26th in passing to 16th and from last in rushing to 28th. Carr took full advantage of an upgraded receiving corps, passing for 3,987 yards and 32 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions.
Mack is already a superstar. He became the first player in NFL history last year to be named All-Pro at two positions – outside linebacker and defensive end. He racked up 15 sacks last year, second only to J.J. Watt, and plays the run equally well. He needs to make everyone on that unit better.
It’s hard not to like the collection of young talent, but will continuity equate to two extra wins? Can we really trust Jack Del Rio as head coach that much? Not enough to bet on it, but this should be a 10-win team. Should be.
NFL Odds: Oakland Raiders Under 8.5 Wins
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