Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders: Three Bold Team Predictions for the 2016 Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) talks with defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Part two of the “bold predictions” series. The first was individual player predictions, and this one is team-specific.

The 2016 Oakland Raiders season kicks off on September 11th, at 1:00pm EST, on the road against the New Orleans Saints.

It’s been an exciting offseason for the Raiders, with the additions of high-end talent such as Kelechi Osemele, Sean Smith and Bruce Irvin.

Pair that with the continued development of players such as Khalil Mack, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, and there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.

But with that optimism comes increased expectations. In order to reach those expectations, the team will need to play up to their potential, win close games, and so much more. It takes a lot to win in the NFL, and we’ll find out if Oakland is up to the task.

Here are three bold team specific predictions for the Raiders 2016 season.

Raiders Have Three All-Pros on the Offensive Line

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders guard Rodney Hudson (61) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders already boasted one of the better lines in the National Football League, and now that Kelechi Osemele has been added to the fold, Oakland arguably has the second best line in football.

From left to right: Donald Penn, Osemele, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, Menelik Watson/Austin Howard. Particularly, the left four are ridiculous, and PFF really likes what Austin Howard did in 2015.

Best offensive line in 2016? @PFF_Matt takes a look at the Raiders and Cowboys: https://t.co/cEm6u4a8dk pic.twitter.com/MefLQIHosm

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 29, 2016

Three players out of this unit will be named All-Pros — Osemele, Hudson and Jackson. All three are proficient in pass protection and run blocking, and are amongst the best at their positions, if not the best. Working together under Mike Tice will make this group even more formidable.

With an interior offensive line like that, the team should be able to do basically whatever they want up the middle. The best part might be that none of those three are older than 27.

Top Ten Offense and a Top Ten Defense

Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers offense lines up against the Oakland Raiders defense during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In 2015, the Raiders finished 24th in total offense and 22nd in total defense, so they will need to make huge strides in order to achieve this feat.

With the continued development of the young talent and the new additions in the offseason, as well as it being the second year with the coaching staff, they certainly have the personnel to get this done.

For the offense, this hinges on the run game. The blocking will be there, but will Latavius Murray be able to deliver? He finished second in the AFC in rushing yards — a nice feat — but his YPC was average at best and this was achieved largely thanks to a high volume of carries.

So if Murray sputters at any point of the season, the hope will fall on DeAndre Washington, who impressed during the preseason. Carr to Cooper and Crabtree should be as prolific as it was last year, and most likely better.

For the defense, the preseason didn’t exactly provide optimism of being a top ten defense, but the talent is there.

Mario Edwards Jr. only being placed on injured reserve with the designation to return will have a big impact, so the team will definitely need to embrace a “next man up” mentality and move forward. Autry and a few others are plenty capable of contributing quality play.

The renewed secondary — Smith, Amerson, Nelson, Joseph — is much improved from last year’s group. If they can play up to their talent level, the pass defense should hold up their end of the bargain.

Right now, the run defense seems to be the concern. The defensive line underwhelmed in the preseason, but no reason to worry too much until the games actually count.

FG Short of the AFC Championship

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Most of the predictions for the Raiders have them winning somewhere between nine to eleven games, with a wildcard berth being likely and the division being up for grabs.

But what about after that? If Oakland gets into the playoffs, how far can they go?

I’ll say they grab a wildcard spot, and not only that, but they win their first playoff game. For an upstart, young team that hasn’t appeared in a playoff game since 2002, and considering they will be underdogs, this is quite the accomplishment.

Heading into the second playoff game, Oakland will either play the first or the second seed. They’ll be even bigger underdogs, but they’ll put up a fight.

But they fall a field goal short of making an appearance in the AFC Championship.

That course would be heartbreaking defeat. The hope and the goal for every team is to win the Super Bowl, but the team and the fans will have a lot to be proud of if this is the type of season the Raiders put together.