2014 Oakland Predictions
The Oakland Raiders begin the season all even with the three other teams in their Division – enjoy it while it lasts! The Raiders figure to be one of the basement dwellers again as they try to keep up with the Broncos, the Chargers and the Chiefs.
2013 Record Straight Up: 4-12-0
2013 ATS Record: 8-8-0
Raiders Odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX: 100/1
Raiders Odds to win the 2015 AFC Conference: 50/1
Raiders Odds to Win the 2014 AFC West: +1800
Raiders Futures from Bovada
Oakland added a few pieces in the offseason but the question that begs to be answered is – did their acquisitions actually make them a better team? There are legions of doubters out there that would answer that question with a resounding – NO!
The Oakland Raiders “prize” offseason acquisition was Matt Schaub – a QB jettisoned out of Houston after setting the record for consecutive games with a pick-6 and after being benched in favor of unproven talent. Schaub had some good seasons in the past but his last few years can best be described as awful – his arm strength is certainly a question and obviously his decision making process leaves something to be desired.
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Schaub finds himself in a division with Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and a vastly improved Alex Smith – the Raiders clearly have the worst QB in the division… again. With a sketchy offensive line, Oakland figures to be in the bottom half of passing teams.
Schaub will have some decent weapons to throw to – there shouldn’t be any talk of him not having the pass catchers to exploit. James Jones was signed away from Green Bay and offers a good upgrade at the WR position – although Jones was catching balls from Aaron Rodgers! Second year guy Andre Holmes will be asked to step up this year along with Rod Streater who showed flashes of brilliance at times last year.
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Oft-injured Darren McFadden was somehow retained by the Raiders and will form what looks to be, on paper, a formidable running back duo with question mark – Maurice Jones-Drew. The two aging running backs will have to be stellar for Oakland this year – the passing game doesn’t figure to offer up a whole lot of danger for opposing defenses.
Defensively the Raiders were competitive last year, particularly against the run. They added aging former stars. Justin Tuck, Antonio Smith and LaMarr Woodley in free agency which could pay off or could turn into an unmitigated disaster. Both were underwhelming last year and are another year older but could have a year or two left – who knows? No. 5 overall pick Khalil Mack is a nice piece and should help what looks like an average pass rush.
Perhaps the biggest area of need for Oakland was in their weak secondary – something the Raiders addressed in the offseason. They were able to sign Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown from the 49ers and although Rogers had an off year last season he is still a major upgrade at the position for Oakland.
Last year’s first-round choice, D.J. Hayden is there too but he looks lost at times and has all the makings of a bust and Charles Woodson was brought back to play the safety position – hmm!
Raiders 2014 Betting Prediction:
The Raiders made some moves in the offseason to bolster their team but a sketchy trend became apparently obvious. Oakland took numerous aging players off the scrap heap in an effort to resurrect their careers. That strategy nearly NEVER works in the NFL!
Oakland is poised to be one of the worst in the NFL again until the management group realizes that retooling with senior citizens will never be the way.
Is Matt Schaub the answer – heck no!
What about McFadden and Jones-Drew – double heck-no. An old defense will have a hard time playing a brutal schedule and the offense isn’t nearly good enough to make up for the points Oakland is bound to give up.
Expect another lost season 4-12 is attainable but 3-13 looks more like it!
