Will the Raiders win 5 games?
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – Will the Oakland Raiders will at least five games this year? Let’s recap their offseason.
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The Raiders have been the dog of the AFC West for some time now. The Black Hole was the only team not to make the playoffs out of their illustrious division last year. This wasn’t surprising considering they sported a dismal 4-12 record.
The Raiders have made great strides in the offseason. First, they signed premiere talent at all levels of the defense by picking up LB LaMarr Woodley, DE Justin Tuck, DE Antonio Smith, CB Tarell Brown and CB Carlos Rogers. Then, they take stud linebacker Khalil Mack in the first round of the NFL Draft, sewing up a vicious interior core of linebackers.
On paper this team has the roster to compete in their division, but it’s a division that is certainly the toughest in the AFC and perhaps the most difficult in football. The Chiefs have the premium rushing attack with their lead horse Jamaal Charles. The Broncos have arguably the greatest statistical offense in the history of the NFL. That offense is anchored by one of the all-time great quarterbacks, Peyton Manning, whose arsenal has only grown. The division rounds out with the San Diego Chargers, whose offense features the second most efficient passer in the NFL behind Manning.
Considering the strength of the offenses in their division, the Raiders had the right idea in shoring up their defensive deficiencies. They will need a strong defense to compete in their division and make a playoff push. Their defensive enhancements will win games for this team and they will see an improvement from last year. But this year the Raiders need to be efficient on offense as well and at this point that is still a huge uncertainty.
Free NFL Picks – Take the Oakland Raiders to win more than 5 games.
Prediction: Oakland Raiders 6-10
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