Oakland Raiders Team Preview & Predictions for the 2015-16 NFL Season

Here come the Raiders. The Oakland Raiders showed some promise last season with rookie Derek Carr behind center. They then retooled over the offseason and gave their young quarterback some legitimate weapons to work with. Were there moves enough to give them a successful season in 2015? Or will they remain in the cellar of the competitive AFC West? Read on for everything you need to know about this year’s Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders have a couple of stiff challenges in their division alone. Check out the outlook for AFC West teams, the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
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2015-16 Oakland Raiders Preview

Overview

The Oakland Raiders were nothing but a rowdy bunch last season, giving their opponents tough challenges only to keep falling short. The Raiders finished 3-13, their third straight season with a losing record. The future looks bright, though, as Oakland finally found the quarterback of the present and possibly future in Derek Carr. Last year’s rookie signal caller from Fresno State showed plenty of potential despite lacking a few weapons.

[sc:NFL240banner ]The Raiders aren’t content to just be bottom feeders this year; they have plenty of upside with new head coach Jack Del Rio taking over the reins. Del Rio was the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos for the past three years, winning the AFC West Championship in each season. Not only does the new Raiders coach bring over a winning culture, he also gets a few new pieces to work with.

The Raiders seem posed to break out sooner or later. They offer plenty of value to do so this year and are priced at +1,000 to win the AFC West.

Offseason Review

Despite having the big bucks, the Raiders didn’t manage to nab high-profile free agents such as Ndamukong Suh and DeMarco Murray. Instead, general manager Reggie McKenzie focused his spending on a group of solid and less expensive players. He gave new head coach Del Rio a few defensive pieces to work with in linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive tackle Dan Williams.

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. arrives to help Del Rio shore up Oakland’s defense. Norton served as the linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2014, helping the team to rank first in total defense in the past two seasons. The new defensive coordinator knows what it takes to win after helping the Seahawks to the Super Bowl XLVIII title as the best defense in the league.

The Raiders also made sure to give their quarterback plenty of weapons for the upcoming season. They nabbed free agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who was a staple in the San Francisco 49ers’ receiving corps for six years.

Another excellent receiver was added in first round draft pick Amari Cooper. Considered the best receiver in this year’s draft, Cooper set numerous school records in 2014 after compiling 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

With all their additions, think the Raiders have a good shot of causing plenty of upsets this season? Create a betting account now and back these ferocious Raiders.

Key Player – Derek Carr

The spotlight will be on second-year quarterback Derek Carr as he attempts to top his impressive rookie campaign with the Raiders. Carr made a case for himself as Oakland’s franchise signal caller last season, as he passed for 3,270 yards and 21 touchdowns. He did so with a limited receiving corps and an almost non-existent running game care of Darren McFadden.

Carr now has the tools for an even better season with a solid receiving duo in Crabtree and Cooper. He also has running game to fall back on courtesy of Latavius Murray, who was a beast towards the end of the season in 2014. Expect big things from Carr this season as the Raiders attempt to climb out of their losing rut.

Key Game – @ San Diego (October 25)

For the Raiders to be considered more than just padding for the other AFC West team’s records, they’ll need to beat one of the division’s most consistent teams in the San Diego Chargers. What better place to beat the Chargers than at their own backyard, Qualcomm Stadium. The Raiders will be fresh off a bye week for this contest, while San Diego comes back from a tough road outing at Green Bay. A big win against the Chargers could give the Raiders plenty of momentum for a successful season.

Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season

Best Case Scenario

Carr works well with Cooper and Crabtree to give the Oakland passing game some life. Murray adds a monster rushing game much like his Week 12 performance last year, running for 112 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries. Meanwhile, the defense shows marked improvement under head coach Del Rio and defensive coordinator Norton. The Raiders finish .500 for the first time since 2011.

Worst Case Scenario

Carr gets injured, leaving the Oakland season in the hands of Christian Ponder. Cooper turns out to be a bust, while Crabtree looks like a shell of his former self. The defense endures some growing pains as the Raiders finish with another 3-13 record.

Complete Schedule

Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET)
1 | Sun, Sep 13 | vs Cincinnati | 4:20 PM
2 | Sun, Sep 20 | vs Baltimore | 4:05 PM
3 | Sun, Sep 27 | @ Cleveland | 1:00 PM
4 | Sun, Oct 4 | @ Chicago | 1:00 PM
5 | Sun, Oct 11 | vs Denver | 4:25 PM
6 | Bye Week | |
7 | Sun, Oct 25 | @ San Diego | 4:05 PM
8 | Sun, Nov 1 | vs New York Jets | 4:05 PM
9 | Sun, Nov 8 | @ Pittsburgh | 1:00 PM
10 | Sun, Nov 15 | vs Minnesota | 4:05 PM
11 | Sun, Nov 22 | @ Detroit | 1:00 PM
12 | Sun, Nov 29 | @ Tennessee | 1:00 PM
13 | Sun, Dec 6 | vs Kansas City | 4:05 PM
14 | Sun, Dec 13 | @ Denver | 4:05 PM
15 | Sun, Dec 20 | vs Green Bay | 4:05 PM
16 | Thu, Dec 24 | vs San Diego | 8:25 PM
17 | Sun, Jan 3 | @ Kansas City | 1:00 PM

Writer’s Prediction

The Raiders suffer some growing pains but offer a stiffer challenge. Oakland barely misses out on a .500 record, going 7-9 for the season. They don’t make much of a dent in AFC West, but they make sure their season wins go over 5.5.
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