2015 NFL Football – Raiders Analysis
The Jack Del Rio era begins in Oakland as the Raiders try to improve upon a three win season from last year. With another year comes another round of predictable hype for the Men In Black.
Raiders Odds
2015 Oakland Raiders Odds to win the 2016 Super Bowl: 75/1
2015 Oakland Raiders Odds to win the 2015 AFC Conference: 40/1
2015 Season Win Total: Raiders 4.5 wins (OVER -140, UNDER +110); 2014 wins: 3
***2015 BONUSES***
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Will an OK draft and the hype surrounding Derek Carr in his second year allow the Raiders to take their game to another level or will 2015 produce another typically disappointing Oakland campaign?
Let’s take a look at every game on the schedule to determine whether or not the Raiders can eclipse the 4.5 Win Total that Vegas has set out.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, Cincinnati, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Bengals are poised to be one of the better AFC teams this year – pretty hard to imagine the Raiders hanging with one of the most well-rounded teams in the game.
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Andy Dalton could have a field day against a Raiders front that just can’t generate pressure – Oakland starts 2015 with a loss.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, Baltimore, 4:05 p.m. ET
Oakland plays their second straight home game against a legitimate threat in the AFC North. Like the Bengals, the Ravens are better than the Raiders in every aspect of the game. Things get a tad easier after Week 2 but it is likely that the Raiders emerge 0-2.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Cleveland, 1 p.m. ET
It will likely be a battle of the winless teams here. I think the Raiders learn a few things in the first two weeks and come into Week 3 battle-tested. I have zero faith in Cleveland – the Raiders get their first win.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, at Chicago, 1 p.m. ET
I imagine this game being closer than most expect but I do think that the Bears take care of home field. The Bears are always good for a dud especially if Jay Cutler is in a pouty mood but I expect that he isn’t ready to give up on the season quite yet –maybe Week 5 Cutler will start throwing in the towel! Any way – the Raiders are likely 1-3 after four weeks.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, Denver, 4:25 p.m. ET
Ugh! There is no way the Raiders win this game if Peyton Manning is healthy. The bye can’t come at a better time as Oakland enters 1-4.
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at San Diego, 4:05 p.m. ET
With an extra week to prepare this should be a good game for the Raiders.
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I expect a character building effort but a loss on the road against a San Diego team that always finds a way to beat Oakland.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, NY Jets, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Jets are a beatable team – unflattering especially on offense. This is a good position for the Raiders to get their second win of the season.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ET
West Coast teams always have a hard time in early starts on the East Coast. The Raiders have that going against them as well as the fact that Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown will be waiting. Half way through the season the Raiders are 2-6.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, Minnesota, 4:05 p.m. ET
Derek Carr vs. Teddy Bridgewater. It should be a beauty of a game at home for Oakland. Assuming Adrian Peterson plays this could be a win for the visiting team. AP will be the best player on the field and should dominate Oakland’s somewhat sketchy run D.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Detroit, 1 p.m. ET
The Lions have too many weapons, Detroit will be motivated in a tight playoff race and this is a 10 AM PT start. It all adds up to another loss for the Raiders leaving them 2-8!
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, at Tennessee, 1 p.m. ET
Ahh Tennessee! Nothing cures a losing streak like a trip to Nashville. Marcus Mariota will make the Titans better but will still be enduring some serious growing pains in Week 12. Oakland emerges 3-8.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, Kansas City, 4:05 p.m. ET
Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin, Alex Smith and a pretty good Chiefs defense will get the better of the Raiders here. Even though this game is in Oakland, I’ll take the better all-around team.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Denver, 4:05 p.m. ET
Denver will have the added motivation of playoff seeding in Week 14 – there is no way the Pros on this team let one slip away. At 3-10 the Raiders faithful are frustrated again.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, Green Bay, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Packers may lose only 2 or 3 games all year – hard to imagine one of those losses coming against the Raiders!
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Week 16: Thursday, Dec. 24, San Diego, 8:25 p.m. ET
By Week 16 the Chargers could be in disarray – the possible move to LA looms and Philip Rivers’s future with the team will be in serious question. Oakland takes advantage of a dysfunctional Chargers team and moves to 4-11.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Kansas City, 1 p.m. ET
Arrowhead on January 3 for a California-based team? This looks like another loss for Oakland.
The Raiders will do some good things in 2015 but to say that they will take the next step is a bit of a reach. I see a 4-12 season, another high draft pick and for the team to maybe take a leap in 2016.
Add in the fact that Derek Carr is already dealing with injuries and the 2015 campaign doesn’t look all that bright in the standings. Sorry Raiders fans, success is still a year or two away.
The 2015 NFL futures betting season is right around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting.
CappersPicks.com has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well.
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