2016 Record - 12-4-0
Head Coach - Jack Del Rio
Offensive Rank - 6th (373 yards per game, 26 points per game)
Defensive Rank - 26th (375 yards allowed per game, 24.1 points allowed per game)
Quarterback Derek Carr passed for 3,937 yards with 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions last season, but missed the playoffs with a broken leg suffered in Week 16 last season. His backup will be Connor Cook and/or E.J. Manuel.
Marshawn Lynch is back in the NFL after a one-year hiatus and he will be the primary running back. Along with Lynch is Jalen Richard (491 yards last season) and DeAndre' Washington. The wide receiving corps has Michael Crabtree (89 receptions, 1,003 yards and eight TD) and Amari Cooper (83, 1,153 and five TD) along with Seth Roberts (38, 397, five TD) and Cordarrelle Patterson (52, 453, two TD with Minnesota). Patterson is also an excellent kick returner.
The tight ends include Jared Cook, who comes over from Green Bay after making 30 receptions for 377 yards with one touchdown last season. Clive Walford (33, 359, three TD) and Lee Smith will also play tight end.
Kahlil Mack had eleven quarterback sacks last year and along with Bruce Irvin (seven QB sacks) leads the Raiders defense. Reggie Nelson had five interceptions from the free safety spot. Rookie Eddie Vanderdoes (UCLA) has been slotted as a starting defensive tackle in training camp. Another rookie, linebacker Marquel Lee (Wake Forest) may also start.
Two other rookies include cornerback Gareon Conley (Ohio State) and safety Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut), who will push for playing time.
OUTLOOK FOR 2017 - The Raiders made the playoffs but were one and done against Houston in the Wild Card round after Carr suffered a broken leg in the next to last regular season game.
This season, Oakland has an eye on a trip to the Super Bowl for the first time in 15 years. It could happen as long as the defense makes improvements and Head Coach Jack Del Rio will be pushing for that.
The Raiders used their first three draft picks to get help on defense and along with some solid veterans, they hope to see that come together as the season progresses. This is an opportunistic defense that led the NFL with 30 takeaways (16 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries) last season.
The offense is set with Carr and his band of wide receivers and a rushing attack that averaged 120 yards per game. Add in "The Beast Mode" Marshawn Lynch, who is a punishing runner and Oakland could very well be at the top of the NFL as far as scoring is concerned.
A 12-4 record and AFC West title looks promising for the Raiders this season (barring any major injuries of course) but they still will have to get past Pittsburgh and New England in the AFC if they want to get to the Super Bowl.
It just might happen this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Tennessee
Week Two - vs. NY Jets
Week Three - at Washington
Week Four - at Denver
Week Five - vs. Baltimore
Week Six - vs. LA Chargers
Week Seven - vs. Kansas City
Week Eight - at Buffalo
Week Nine - at Miami
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - vs. New England (in Mexico)
Week Twelve - vs. Denver
Week Thirteen - vs. NY Giants
Week Fourteen - at Kansas City
Week Fifteen - vs. Dallas
Week Sixteen - at Philadelphia
Week Seventeen - at LA Chargers
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