NFL Betting Online: The Oakland Raiders are an up-and-coming team with playoff aspirations in 2016. The team had an encouraging run in 2015 with three key pieces to build around: quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper and outside linebacker Khalil Mack. With oodles of cap space, the Raiders added several prominent free agents to the fold and now could push for either the AFC West crown or a wild card berth into the playoffs. The Raiders are slight +110 underdogs to make the postseason, while they are listed at -140 to miss them in NFL wagering.
The Raiders went 7-9 a season ago, starting with four wins in their first seven weeks before falling back the rest of the way. The offense finished 17th in the NFL, averaging 22.4 points per game. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 3,987 yards with 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Amari Cooper had a little bit of trouble holding on to passes, but still came up with impressive 72 catches for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns a season ago, while Michael Crabtree added 85 catches for 922 yards and nine scores. Latavius Murray was the team’s starting running back and rushed for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns. All of those players are expected to return, and the Raiders signed star guard Kelechi Osemele to help on the offensive line. The arrow is pointing up for the Oakland offense, although much depends on the continued improvement of Carr, who showed good signs in 2015 and wants to take another step forward.
The defense has a superstar in Khalil Mack. He had 57 tackles and 15 sacks a year ago, and should continue to get better as he reaches his athletic prime. Despite the impressive play of Mack and safety Charles Woodson, the Raiders finished the season giving up 24.9 points per game, which was only 22nd in the NFL. Woodson retired, but the defense still projects to be better. Cornerback Sean Smith was signed in free agency to team with David Amerson as the team’s top cover men. The Raiders drafted safety Karl Joseph with the No. 14 pick in the NFL draft and added Bruce Irvin as an outside linebacker to complement Mack on the edge. Dan Williams returns as a valuable piece at nose tackle and Oakland hopes to improve around him against the run.
The AFC West will be interesting to watch in 2016. The Denver Broncos are the defending Super Bowl champions but have a quarterback situation in flux following the retirement of Peyton Manning and departure of backup Brock Osweiler. The Kansas City Chiefs should be good again, but only have a middle of the pack quarterback in Alex Smith. The Raiders may not be the favorites to win the division but could give the other teams a run for their money. While the odds are slightly against them, for the first time in a while Oakland has a legitimate chance at qualifying for the playoffs in 2016 in NFL wagering.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook for the playoff chances for the Oakland Raiders, who have greatly improved the roster and could be on the precipice of qualifying for the postseason behind Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Sean Smith and Khalil Mack! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today!
