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

Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

SUMMARY

Some will undoubtedly scoff at the notion that the Raiders can move from 3-13 to 10-6 in the span of one season. Others will undoubtedly laugh and believe the prediction is a product of heavy medication or a hard knock on the head. And still others will say that this is just pie in the sky dreaming, or out of control homerism.

And perhaps they’re all right.

But the Raiders were actually competitive in a number of games last season. And with an overhauled roster that is now actually brimming with talent, it could make the difference between being merely competitive, and actually pulling out some of those wins that they couldn’t last season.

As was stated earlier, the margin between victory and defeat in the NFL is sometimes razor thin. A missed play here, a blown assignment there, can play major roles in determining a team’s success or lack thereof.

With a coaching staff as experienced and battle tested as Del Rio’s is, he will have his team far better prepared than Dennis Allen ever did. He will have a coherent game plan, and in fairness to Allen, he also has much better talent in 2015 than Oakland did before his tenure.

The NFL schedule makers did Oakland a solid by laying out the coming season the way they did. Oakland’s schedule is front loaded with some very winnable games. If they can take advantage of it, it will allow them to get off to a very quick start. And from there, it’s a matter of building confidence and maintaining momentum.

There are no benchmarks a team is required to meet. Just because the Raiders went 3-13 a season ago, it doesn’t mean they are required to only win six games in 2015. Or eight. There is no reason they cannot win far more than that, and possibly make a push for the postseason.

Is it likely? Who knows at this point. But it’s possible. Though they have the seventh toughest schedule in the league, there are plenty of very winnable games on tap for the Raiders. If they can play to their potential – and there is no doubt that Del Rio will see to that – the sky is the limit for a young, talented, and hungry Oakland team.

Next: Why Is Jack Del Rio's Involvement With Draft a Bad Thing?