2018 Record - 4-12-0
Head Coach - Jon Gruden
Newcomers for 2019 - Antonio Bryant (WR), Tyrell Williams (WR), Vontzae Burfict (LB), Landry Jones (QB), Mike Glennon (QB), Trent Brown (OL), Lamarcus Joyner (DB)
Keys on Offense - Derek Carr is back to play quarterback this season after throwing 19 touchdown passes last season along with 4,049 yards and ten interceptions.
Rookie Josh Jacobs (Alabama) is looking to be the starting running back while last season's team rushing leader Doug Martin (723 yards, 4.2 ypc and four TD) is also on hand. Jalen Richard (259 yards, 4.7 ypc, one TD along with 68 receptions for 607 yards) is another backfield option.
Antonio Brown (104 receptions, 1,297 yards and 15 TD) comes over from the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade and will be the primary wide receiver. Tyrell Williams (41, 653, five TD with L.A. Chargers) signed on as a free agent and provides a legitimate deep threat.
Other wideouts include J.J. Nelson, Ryan Grant and either Dwayne Harris or Marcell Ateman. The tight ends are Darren Waller and Foster Moreau, a rookie from LSU.
Keys on Defense - Top rookie pick Clelin Ferrell (Clemson) is expected to start at defensive end along with Josh Mauro and/or Arden Kay. Maurice Hurst (four QB sacks), Justin Ellis and Johnathan Hankins are the tackles.
Free agent Vontaze Burfict joins the linebacking corps and will team with Brandon Marshall and Tahir Whitehead. The secondary features corners Gareon Conley (three interceptions, one for a TD) and Daryl Worley and safeties Lamarcus Joyner, Karl Joseph (two sacks), Erik Harris (two INT) and rookie Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State).
Oakland had the worst scoring defense in the NFL last year (29.2 points per game allowed) and also finished 26th overall, allowing 381 yards per game (141 rushing, 241 passing) while only getting a league worst 13 sacks. The Raiders did intercept 14 passes last season.
OUTLOOK - The Raiders suffered through a miserable season under their new Head Coach Jon Gruden last year and so they spent money in free agency, drafted nine players in the NFL Draft and traded for Antonio Brown, one of the premier wide receivers in the game, during the off-season.
Will all of that add up to a better record than the 2018 season?
It all depends on how things mesh with all of the new talent and how well they adapt to Gruden and the coaching staff's game plan.
The offense must perform better, as the Raiders averaged just 18.1 points per game a year ago while finishing 23rd on offense, gaining 336 yards per game. The running game will look to get a boost from (rookie) Josh Jacobs, who will team with Doug Martin carrying the ball. Carr will have three new primary targets in the passing game as the two starting wideouts and tight end from last year are no longer with the team.
The Raiders passing game should thrive with the new talent on board this season. As long as Brown can keep his ego in check (the whole helmet fitting issue and the cryogenic frost bitten feet) and just play football, he will definitely help the offense. Tyrell Williams is a good complement to Brown after a breakout season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Better pass protection for Carr would be a plus as well after he was sacked 52 times last season.
The defense must also step it up after allowing the most points in pro football. A better pass rush is a must and with a revamped front seven, the Raiders should get to enemy quarterbacks more often this year.
The Raiders definitely face an uphill challenge playing in the AFC West, where the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers both are coming off strong seasons. A 6-10 record would be an improvement from the 2018 debacle and the Raiders could beat out Denver for third place. Anything better would definitely be a bonus in the 2019 season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Denver
Week 2 - vs. Kansas City
Week 3 - at Minnesota
Week 4 - at Indianapolis
Week 5 - vs. Chicago (in London)
Week 6 - BYE
Week 7 - at Green Bay
Week 8 - at Houston
Week 9 - vs. Detroit
Week 10 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 11 - vs. Cincinnati
Week 12 - at NY Jets
Week 13 - at Kansas City
Week 14 - vs. Tennessee
Week 15 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 16 - at LA Chargers
Week 17 - at Denver
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