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Oakland Raiders - 2017-18 NFL Season Analysis
Football season is almost back! The Oakland Raiders are finally playing well again, last year they finished 12-4 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002! Last year ended badly when starting QB Derek Carr - 3rd in MVP voting - broke his leg during Week 16 against the Colts. Before that injury, the Raiders were playing very well and many felt that they could have competed against the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
Now that preseason football is here, many media outlets are picking the Raiders to win the AFC West. Last year, the Raiders had the chance to win the AFC West, but fell short Week 17 at the Denver Broncos. However, this year the Raiders are coming into the season as a real threat to win the Superbowl. The only 2 teams I can see who have a shot at winning the division are the Raiders and Chiefs. But I trust Derek Carr over Alex Smith.
Key New Additions: RB Marshawn Lynch (coming out of retirement), TE Jared Cook, WR Cordarrelle Patterson; drafted former Ohio State Buckeye CB Gareon Conley with the 24th overall pick, former UCONN player Obi Melifonwu (who will be playing more nickel/cover TE's), and former UCLA DT Eddie Vanderdoes. The pieces are there for the Raiders, let's see if they can take that next step and get a potential number 1 AFC seed.
Difference Maker: Marshawn Lynch
I believe that Marshawn Lynch will have a MONSTER YEAR.
Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch is back! Marshawn always wanted to play for his hometown team…..The Oakland Raiders. Now he got his wish. Lynch missed the 2016 season because of retirement, but beast mode had a change of heart and now he is back. Many say that he might be rusty or out of football shape, but he should be really fresh after a long year of rest. Marshawn is also younger than the Saints new RB Adrian Peterson who just signed for good coin. Raiders lost RB Latavius Murray in Free Agency to the Minnesota Vikings. Now Marshawn will be taking on that role; I think the Raiders will feed him the rock: 15-20 carries a game with touchdown end zone opportunities. If he gets the carries, I believe he will finish the year 1,000+ yards and have at least 8 TDs. Plus, the Raiders have speedsters, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington to help with the work load.
Bold Player Prediction: Amari Cooper will lead the AFC in receiving yards.
When the Raiders drafted the former Alabama Crimson Tide WR standout Amari Cooper with the 4th overall pick in 2015, many believed that he was the most pro-ready out of college. Now entering YEAR 3, Amari Cooper is a 2-time NFL Pro Bowler and is one of three receivers in history to have at least 70 catches and at least 1,000 yards in their first two years in the league. And get this, Amari Cooper is only 23 years old. YEP! 23 years old! I think this year he will have a career year. Also, the Raiders have a legit #2 WR in Michael Crabtree; increasing more one-on-one matchups for Amari instead of being double-teamed. nnProjected Stat line- 1,550 and 7 plus TD's.
Biggest Improvement: Defense
It seems like every year the Defense will be very good, but usually falls a bit flat. Now, looking at their roster on the Defensive side of the ball, I love the athleticism on this team. The Raiders went Defense with their first 3 picks, hopefully the Raiders finally addressed a huge need with drafting former UCONN Safety Obi Melifonwu. The Raiders will have a simple job for Obi: COVERING THE TIGHT ENDS. Raiders also have Khalil Mack who is coming off a phenomenal 2016 season winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2015, Khalil Mack became the first player ever to be named ALL PRO at two different positions: OLB and DE. Mack consistently gets doubled team, so it's important that DE/OLB Bruce Irvin and DE Mario Edwards create some trouble for the opposing QB to take some pressure off Mack. Raiders still have issues at Middle Linebacker but it looks like they are confident with LB Corey James, LB Ben Heeney (coming off injury), new free agent signing LB/OLB former Dolphin Jelani Jenkins, and 2017 5th rounder Marquel Lee. The Raiders secondary has the potential to be one the best secondary’s in the league with CB David Amerson, CB Sean Smith, CB Gareon Conley, S Reggie Nelson, S Karl Joseph, S Obi Melifonwu, and TJ Carrie/Shalom Luani/ Kieth Mcgill will all have a key role too making this secondary deep.
How Many Wins will the Raiders get this year? I predict 11-13 wins and AFC West title.
Raiders Head Coach Jack "Blackjack" Del Rio is known for taking chances for his squad. I think he will keep doing whatever it takes in order for the Raiders to win 11-13 games. Del Rio knows that this team can be SCARY GOOD. It's also good that Del Rio has a solid support system in Oakland. Players are playing hard for him, something that we didn't see when Art Shell or Dennis Allen coached the Raiders.