2017 Record - 6-10-0
Head Coach - Jon Gruden
2017 Offensive Ranking - 17th (324 ypg, 18.8 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 23rd (350 ypg, 23.3 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Derek Carr slipped in 2017, passing for 3,496 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is back for his fifth season in Oakland. E.J. Manuel is the backup.
Marshawn Lynch came out of his one-year hiatus and rushed for 891 yards last season for the Raiders, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns. Doug Martin (406 yards, 2.9 ypc, three TD) comes over from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season to help the running game.
Wide receivers include Amari Cooper (48 receptions for 680 yards and seven TD), Seth Roberts (43, 455, one TD) and newcomers Martavis Bryant (50, 603, three TD with Pittsburgh) and Jordy Nelson, who had 53 receptions for 482 yards with six touchdowns with Green Bay. The tight end is Jared Cook, who snagged 54 passes for 688 yards and two touchdowns.
DEFENSE - All-Pro Defensive End Kahlil Mack (10 1/2 QB sacks last season) is a holdout at this point in time and there is uncertainty if he will play for the Raiders this season. He is the main cog of the defense.
Defensive End Bruce Irvin (eight sacks) anchors the front line along with Mack, so it may fall on him to lead the way this season along with Justin Ellis, Eddie Vanderdoes and possibly rookie draft pick P.J. Hall (Sam Houston State) up front.
In the secondary, Rashaan Melvin (cornerback) and Marcus Gilchrist (safety) come over via free agency to join Gareon Conley and Karl Joseph to bolster a pass defense that allowed 241 yards per game last year while intercepting a league low five passes.
OUTLOOK - The Raiders brought back Jon Gruden to be the Head Coach with a huge contract and are hoping he can work his magic from many year's past to get the team back to the playoffs after a poor 2017 season.
The key will be QB Derek Carr returning to his 2016 form when the Raiders made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. If he can get on target with a decent set of wide receivers and the running game (with veterans Lynch and Martin) can get things rolling, then perhaps Oakland can get more points on the scoreboard.
The defense has to improve against the pass and create more turnovers to take the pressure off the offense. If Kahlil Mack is a no show this year, look for the Raiders defense to struggle even more than last season, when they finished 23rd overall.
If things fall into place and Gruden can inspire the team to a higher level, the playoffs cannot be ruled out of the question. That might be a bit of a reach because there is age in key spots for the offense. The Raiders would do well to improve on last season's record by going 8-8. Anything better would be a definite bonus.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. LA Rams
Week 2 - at Denver
Week 3 - at Miami
Week 4 - vs. Cleveland
Week 5 - at LA Chargers
Week 6 - vs. Seattle (in London)
Week 7 - Bye
Week 8 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 9 - at San Francisco
Week 10 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 11 - at Arizona
Week 12 - at Baltimore
Week 13 - vs. Kansas City
Week 14 - vs. Pittsburgh
Week 15 - at Cincinnati
Week 16 - vs. Denver
Week 17 - at Kansas City
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