Oakland Raiders: 5 Predictions For The 2015 Season

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

Raiders Win At Least Nine Games In 2015

To some, it seems preposterous to suggest that a team that has won eleven games in the last three years could suddenly jump up to the lofty heights of nine wins – at least – in 2015. But it would undoubtedly depend upon your perspective.

Oakland was given the NFL’s seventh most difficult schedule in 2015. And though that in and of itself may seems screwed coming off the heels of a season in which they had the NFL’s most difficult schedule and, to put it kindly, their lack of success recently, the schedule makers may have done the Raiders something of a solid with how their schedule lays out.

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Oakland starts the season with two home games that are very winnable – Cincinnati and Baltimore. While very few people give Oakland much of a chance in either game, the Bengals showed last season that they are very beatable, especially when a team plays very physical football and is able to put some sustained pressure on Andy Dalton – both qualities Del Rio is aiming to instill in his Raiders squad.

And Baltimore has simply had too many losses on both sides of the ball, and has not been able to fully reload yet. Defensively, the Raiders need to key on shutting down Justin Forsett and force Flacco and his less than stellar group of receivers to try and win the game. If Carrie and Hayden can hold up, Oakland can win this game.

Following those two games, Oakland plays Cleveland and Chicago – both teams who have a ton of turmoil and question marks of their own. The Raiders have a very good chance in both of those games as well. After a date with the Broncos, the Raiders go on to play the Chargers, Jets, Steelers, and Vikings.

Over the first half of the season, the Raiders have a very good chance of winning perhaps, six of their first eight games. Though the schedule definitely gets more difficult after that, with some confidence and swagger, who knows what this team can do. They might even be able to win a few that they “shouldn’t” win.

When you look at how the schedule lays out, there is a very clear path for the Raiders getting to nine wins in 2015 – at least.

Next: Final Prediction