The NFL is just better when the Oakland Raiders are relevant.
Technically, that’s an opinion I just stated, but it certainly feels like a fact. You could say the National Football League is better whenever (insert traditional power/brand name team) is good, but with the Sliver and Black, you know it’s true. The “tuck rule game” (or “snow job” or “snow bowl”) versus New England was a long time ago now (2001 AFC Divisional Playoff).
It’s time for the Raiders to return to relevance.
Today, as the NFL season kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch in Denver, ESPN sent out a “news release” consisting of nothing but what their “expert” predictions. It’s certainly not “news”, no matter what ESPN PR wants to call it. Likewise predictions are just opinions, everyone has one and no one is really “right.” ESPN has a very long list of commentator opinions, it’s truly ridiculous in length.
It’s only worth talking about when you a prediction that stands out from the massive herd. That pick belongs to Charles Woodson, who just ended his legendary NFL playing career with the Oakland Raiders. You’ll recall Woodson breaking Twitter last Christmas Eve as he said goodbye in style with his last home game a nationally televised win over division rival San Diego.
Today Woodson went full homer pick, taking the silver and black to win the Super Bowl. He also said Khalil Mack will be league MVP. Yes, it’s a reach, a stretch, an extreme leap of faith, but again it was the only commentator opinion of the ten zillion that I found memorable or interesting.
Last year Oakland returned to respectability and competitiveness. We’ve seen them in the top ten top fifteen in a few NFL preseason power rankings. (again power rankings are meaningless, everyone has one)
In 2016, it’s time for them to take the next step. The door is open for them in the AFC West. They don’t need to kick the door down; they just need to stride confidently through it. The Denver Broncos are starting over at the most important position in sports, as Trevor Siemian replaces Peyton Manning. They have major question marks.
The San Diego Chargers are coming off a pretty awful season, and they have a ways to go yet. Kansas City has a lot of strengths, but they have vulnerabilities too. Former Oakland Raiders Coach and Monday Night Football Analyst Jon Gruden is buying in. (So another ESPN Guy is hyped up too)
“I think everything you see about the Raiders, this is the year for them to take a giant step forward,” Gruden said on a media call.
“There’s quarterback transition in Denver. The Broncos have lost some key players. Kansas City has had some injuries. I think the slate is pretty clean right now in the AFC West. It’s about time that Oakland, I think, backs it up. They’ve got some good players in place. Coach Del Rio’s done a nice job, obviously. And, look, Derek Carr’s got some weapons. You have to love Cooper, you have to like Crabtree.”
“I think Wilford is coming on. But most importantly they’ve solidified the offensive line. They bring in Hudson. They bring in the big guard from the Ravens.
“They’ve got Donald Penn, the old guy from Tampa. This is a salty group that can run the rock with Murray and Khalil Mack, one of the best closers in the fourth quarter. And I even see Janikowski still kicking. Hell, I drafted Janikowski. You can tell I get excited talking about the Raiders. This ought to be a good year for them.”
His new cohort in the booth this season, Sean McDonough, sees reason for optimism too.
“This time of year we get asked a lot about predictions for the season, and Oakland has definitely been a trendy pick to be a team that will take a big step forward,” McDonough said.
“And I really think that they will. They played Arizona in the beginning of the preseason. My brother is the vice president of player personnel for the Cardinals. And I talked to Terry after the game, and he just echoed what people have been saying: Oakland has a lot of talent. And he thinks they’re going to have a terrific year.”
Derek Carr entering his third season at the helm is a really big deal. Oakland has a really special, Pro Bowl talent under center and in today’s NFL that always keeps you in the game.
Carr has weapons all around him and Oakland has good balance on offense. You’ve also got one of the best defenders in all of football on the other side of the ball in Khalil Mack. I also love the two draft picks they made on the defensive line in Illinois’ Jihad Ward and Michigan State’s Shilique Calhoun.
They’re building depth at the position. Yes, the secondary is a question mark still, but when you add it all up to form the big picture…it’s looking like a 10-6 or 11-5 type season for the Oakland Raiders.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.