Oakland Raiders: Not-so-early record prediction and breakdown
The Oakland Raiders upgraded this offseason with key additions made to both their offense and defense Here is a not-so-early record prediction for the 2019 Raiders season.
With the 2019 NFL Draft and free agency behind us, it might be time to take a look at the Oakland Raiders schedule.
Experts and fans alike are starting the debate on what they think this team’s record will be and the pressure is on for the Raiders to rebound after a disappointing 2018 season. At this point, we kind of have an idea of what the 53-man roster will look like come Week 1 so let us dive into the Raiders’ schedule see if we think they will improve or not.
The offseason is about restarting and improving as well as showing the coaches what you got before the fall. This summer, football in the Bay Area should be as big as ever and that starts with the Raiders
The first year of the Jon Gruden reunion era didn’t bring a ton of success to the silver and black on the field. It did, however, bring the drama and plenty of excitement.
The Raiders traded away Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack for a ton of draft capital last season which should help the team get back to the playoffs under coach Gruden. They ended the 2018 season with a 4-12 record but with the additions of Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, Josh Jacobs, and Trent Brown, the Raiders now have a potent offense that should put up numbers.
There are always a few teams that have the quick turnaround and make the jump to the playoffs and the Raiders — with all of their offseason additions — now could have the team to do that.
The schedule is no cake walk, but Derek Carr and company are ready to compete in 2019.
Schedule Prediction:
Week 1: Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos — WIN (Raiders 31, Broncos 14)
Joe Flacco continues to try to defy the laws of father time. Except here he runs into a young Raiders defense anxious to prove something.
Week 2: Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs — WIN (Raiders 23, Chiefs 20)
Arguably one of the hardest opponents on the Raiders schedule. The Coliseum is going to be crazy pregame and it’s going to be even crazier when the Raiders kicker hits a game-winning field goal as time expires.
Week 3: Oakland Raiders @ Minnesota Vikings — WIN (Raiders 15, Vikings 10)
The first road trip of many for the Raiders and they start this one on a high note. Kirk Cousins continues to get in his own way and the Raiders — carrying a wave of momentum from the week before — do just enough to sneak out a win.
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Week 4: Oakland Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts — LOSS (Raiders 31, Colts 34)
Andrew Luck‘s quest to get to a Super Bowl is in full effect as he and Carr get into an offensive shootout. The Raiders defense can’t stop a scary Colts offense and lose by a field goal with seconds left.
Week 5: Oakland Raiders vs. Chicago Bears — WIN (Raiders 16, Bears 10)
Khalil Mack sacks Carr three times in his revenge game, looking unstoppable against his former team but the Raiders improved defense gets the last laugh stalling the Bears on their game-winning drive.
Week 6: Bye Week
Week 7: Oakland Raiders @ Green Bay Packers — LOSS (Raiders 24, Packers 32)
The great Aaron Rodgers comes out swinging throwing three quick touchdowns forcing the Raiders to play catch up. Carr and the offense can’t find a rhythm coming off a bye week.
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Week 8: Oakland Raiders @ Houston Texans — LOSS (Raiders 14, Texans 28)
Deshaun Watson follows up Rodgers’ performance with a pretty decent one of his own totaling four touchdowns including a rushing one. Houston’s defense stifles the Raiders offense which only puts up 14 points in defeat.
Week 9: Oakland Raiders vs. Detroit Lions — LOSS (Raiders 16, Lions 19)
The Raiders finally come back home for the first time since Week 5 but it’s no home cooking. Kerryon Johnson racks up over 100 yards and the Raiders offense continues its struggles as the team loses their third straight since the bye week off a game-winning field goal by the Lions.
Week 10: Oakland Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers — LOSS (Raiders 21, Chargers 28)
The Raiders play a good first half, but the Chargers show who’s superior as their defense steps it up a notch. Melvin Gordon scores the go-ahead touchdown as the Raiders lose their fourth straight.
Week 11: Oakland Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals — WIN (Raiders 30, Bengals 3)
The Raiders break their skid at home in blowout fashion over the lowly Bengals, who could possibly be starting their rookie QB, Ryan Finley, at the time. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther shows no mercy to his former employer as his defense gets four interceptions in victory.
Week 12: Oakland Raiders @ New York Jets — LOSS (Raiders 10, Jets 21)
Le’Veon Bell runs wild going for all of the Jets touchdowns and the Raiders offense can’t get anything going against a stout Jets defense.
Week 13: Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs — LOSS (Raiders 10, Chiefs 40)
The Chiefs remember Week 2 and take their frustrations out on the Raiders in blowout fashion. Patrick Mahomes throws for four touchdowns and Carr still can’t win in Arrowhead Stadium.
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Week 14: Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans — WIN (Raiders 20, Titans 14)
Carr and the offense come out fast scoring all of their touchdowns in the first half but lay an egg in the second half. They somehow get bailed out by their defense who sacks quarterback Marcus Mariota in the red zone as time runs down.
Week 15: Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars — WIN (Raiders 24, Jaguars 10)
Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles threw seven touchdowns against the Raiders before. This time around though he can’t get anything going throwing three first-half interceptions. The Raiders offense continues their hot stretch as rookie running back Josh Jacobs runs for 140 yards in a win.
Week 16: Oakland Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers — WIN (Raiders 28, Chargers 21)
The Chargers get caught flat-footed at home against a Raiders team entering with a worse record, Former Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams goes for two touchdowns in his return to Los Angeles and a late fumble by Melvin Gordon sets up the game-winning touchdown for Derek Carr and company.
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Week 17: Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos — WIN (Raiders 21, Broncos 13)
The Raiders come to mile high city looking to end the season on a high note. Carr throws two first-half touchdowns and the Raiders defense continues their upshoot to the upper echelons.
The Raiders finish at 9-7 and just miss out on the playoffs.