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

Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is tackled by New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) in the second quarter of their game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Week One: Cincinnati Bengals (2014 Record: 10-5-1)

The schedule makers did the Raiders a solid by having them open the season with not just one, but two straight home games. The opening game pits the Raiders against the Bengals, a playoff team just a season ago – and a game that will bring former Raider WR Denarius Moore, as well as former HC Hue Jackson back to town.

Moore and Jackson will likely have some incentive to put in some extra work in an effort to make Oakland look bad. Of the two though, only Jackson has a legitimate reason to be upset. Moore’s production tailed off, and his consistency never came around. In his four seasons with the Raiders, Moore never developed into the sort of reliable passing option Oakland wanted or needed.

Though motivated to show the Raiders that they made a mistake, Oakland has the book on how to knock him off his game – play him a little tough, be a little physical with him, and you can nullify his impact on the field.

Moton believes that the Bengals passing attack, behind Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will be too much for the Raiders’ secondary – this is something a theme with him – and Oakland will find themselves overwhelmed.

"“A.J. Green will likely exploit the Raiders secondary all day. Jackson will use both RBs in Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill as short-yardage receivers to set up the deep ball.”"

What Moton doesn’t take into account is the fact that the Raiders will have their own dose of extra incentive to play well – starting off the Del Rio era on the right foot, as well as winning in front of the home crowd. Both of those things are sure to juice them up just a bit more.

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Cincinnati is a good team, but they’re not a great team. And they haven’t done all that much this offseason to make themselves that much better. They’re a team with some weaknesses that can be exploited.

If the Raiders can get a heavy pass rush on Dalton and put some bodies on him, it could prove to be a long day for the Bengals’ signal caller. The offense, also under new leadership, will be effective – and unlike last season – multi-dimensional. A strong running game against a Bengals team that ranked 20th against the rush in 2014, and did little to beef it up, will prove to be a big difference maker for Oakland.

Prediction: WIN

Oakland 28; Cincinnati 17

Record: 1-0

Next: Week Two: Baltimore Ravens