Oakland Raiders: 6 Reasons Jack Del Rio Might Be On To Something

May 26, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson (24) stretches at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders HC Jack Del Rio made some waves recently when he expressed his belief that his squad has the talent and the hutzpah to claim the AFC West crown this season. The laughter emanating from Denver, San Diego, and Kansas City was heard for several days after his remarks – though we’re not entirely sure that all of the incessant giggling coming out of the Mile High City had to do with Del Rio’s comments.

Some are blowing Del Rio’s remarks a little bit out of proportion and seem to be turning it into something it’s not. For the record, in a video posted on the Raiders’ website, Del Rio said:

“Goal No. 1 is to win our division, and I don’t see why not.”

It’s not exactly the hot take, or a Rex Ryan level bold prediction as some are portraying it as. But he is expressing confidence in the group of guys he has in his locker room. He is expressing his belief that hey, the could do something special and something completely unexpected this season.

And really, did anybody expect Del Rio to say something like, “Well gee guys, I think some of those media types are right and we’re probably not going to win more than three games this year.” Seriously?

But the fact of the matter is that Del Rio might be not be as crazy as some people might think he is. Yeah, Oakland is on a decade plus losing streak. But sooner or later, that streak has to end, right? Hey, the Red Sox won the World Series after more than eighty years, so whose to say Oakland can’t snap out of its own losing funk?

Aside from some of those aforementioned media types anyway.

The Raiders have made some very significant upgrades to their roster this season. They have a core of solid, explosive young talent. And they have a savvy mix of veteran leadership. No longer is the roster filled with aging stars in the twilight of their careers – brought in simply because they’d play for peanuts while GM Reggie McKenzie got the team’s salary cap in order.

Those additions make this Raiders squad very different from last season’s edition. This is a team that has some real talent and has every opportunity to do some great things. And because they all have big flaws and question marks of their own, the Raiders have as good of an opportunity to win the division as Kansas City, Denver, and San Diego do.

And here are six reasons why the Oakland Raiders can help Del Rio meet his number one goal and win the AFC West this season.

Next: 6. Firepower