Oakland Raiders 2015 Schedule: Predicting The Team’s Wins and Losses

Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10: Minnesota Vikings (2014 Record: 7-9)

Though they have some nice building blocks in place, the Vikings are a team in flux. Though a deal for Adrian Peterson has been heavily rumored, it’s not likely any team in the league is going to pony up what Minnesota is asking for the 30 year old running back. And the Vikings don’t seem inclined to sell him on the cheap.

Which means that Peterson will likely be running the ball for Minnesota this season – which is good news for Vikings fans. The bad news of course, is that outside of Peterson, they don’t have a lot of viable weapons.

Mike Wallace is a good pick up to help second year QB Teddy Bridgewater develop, and they do still have Cordarelle Patterson on the roster. It’s a nice one-two punch in the passing game, but both have some attitude issues that have impacted their on field performance.

Bridgewater didn’t have a bad rookie campaign, but he did show that he still has some developing to do. Their offense ranked 20th in the league last season, and having Peterson back – if indeed, that does come to pass – will help. But they don’t yet have enough pieces to be serious contenders.

The Vikings passing defense was fairly solid, ranking seventh in the league, but their run defense was their Achille’s Heel, giving up more than 120 yards a game.

Minnesota is a team in transition, and the Raiders should be able to exploit their weaknesses.

Prediction: WIN

Raiders 31; Minnesota 21

Record: 7-2

Next: Week Eleven: Detroit Lions