The Good…
The
Raiders have started out the preseason looking great on the field, they have
won all 3 of their games and look to be a favorite to beat the Hawks tomorrow
night. They opened the preseason with a stunning win over the NFC Champion LA
Rams 14-3, in a game that mainly saw the back ups play after the first series
of the game. The Raiders just like the 49ers in the first game came out strong
beating a good team and playing well against their starters in the one series
that they played. The second game the Raiders looked dominant putting up 26
points in the first half but only 7 in the second half, as they were able to
hold off the Cardinals and win by 7. The most recent game had the most intrigue
to it as the Raiders played a close game with the Packers in what is widely
considered the dress rehearsal, so I think this game is the one that is closest
to how most of the Raiders wins are going to go this season. The final game in
the preseason will be played mostly with players that are fighting for a roster
spot and none of the starters.
From an
individual standpoint the starters haven’t really looked good but that has more
to do with how many snaps they have played than it does with their talent.
Players like QB Nathan Peterman (70% comp, 317yrds, 3TDs, 0Int) and RB James
Butler (34car 117yrds) have shined in the opportunities that they have been
given this offseason. That is almost more important than getting the starters
live action time. The reason for this is to find out who your top bench players
are going to be. Because with a team like the Raiders and their issues with
injuries they are going to need players who can step up and produce for them.
They play in a stacked AFC West with KC returning most of their starters from
last years team that went to the AFC Championship game. The Chargers are having
issues with their RB Gordon but they should be a solid team and contenders for the
playoffs, finally they will also have to compete with he up and coming Broncos
with new HC Vic Fangio and QB Joe Flacco, so the Raiders will have a lot to
contend with in their own division.
The Bad…
The Raiders
made a big splash this offseason when they decided to trade for embattled WR
Antonio Brown from the Pittsburgh Steelers. This seemed like a great thing when
it first happened the Raiders were finally getting D.Carr a Tier 1 wideout in
Brown to prove he is a top tier QB. Then the offseason program started, and
Brown has been there all of 2 weeks combined of Training Camp and preseason
practice. It has been issues with his helmet and issues with his foot and it
has kept him for being that film room and locker room presence that he was
expected to be. Hopefully they can get all of this worked out before week 1 and
we can really get an idea of what this squad has the potential to be in the
upcoming season. He can literally be the difference between 6 and 10 wins for
the squad.
The Prediction…
This
one is an easy prediction for me, the Raiders won 4 games last season and
finished in the top 5 of the draft. They struggled in every aspect of the game
but plugged a lot of holes this offseason with a lot of new faces, 3 1st
round draft picks and a stud wideout (Brown) and safety (Joyner) they made
themselves into what should be a great team. But that’s on paper not on the
field they will have to go out there and play the games. So, my prediction for
the Raiders will be 8-8 just because they have a tough division playoff and
will struggle against some of the more elite teams in the league. But hey 8
wins are still better than 4 and that’s heading in the right direction.
If you want to listen to the Double K’s Classroom Podcast
tune in at
every other Friday Night on the 4ACES Presents Radio
Network…
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