2011 NFL Predictions: AFC West Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders

Last Season: 8 – 8

2011 NFL Draft: C Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State, Rd. 2/Pick 16), CB Demarcus Van Dyke (Miami (FL.), Rd. 3/Pick 17), T Joe Barksdale (LSU, Rd. 3/Pick 28), CB Chimdi Chekwa (Ohio St., Rd. 4/Pick 16), RB Taiwan Jones (Eastern Washington, Rd. 4/Pick 28), WR Denarius Moore (Tennessee, Rd. 5/Pick 17), TE Richard Gordon (Miami (FL.), Rd. 6/Pick 16), WR David Ausberry (USC, Rd. 7/Pick 38)

Key Additions: QB Trent Edwards, TE Kevin Boss

Key Losses: TE Zach Miller, QB Bruce Gradkowski, CB Nnamdi Asomugha,

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Jason Campbell — 2,387 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Jason Campbell — 13

• Rushing yards — Darren McFadden — 1,157 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Michael Bush — 8

• Receiving yards — Zach Miller — 685 yards

• Receiving touchdowns — Zach Miller — 5

• Tackles — Tyvon Branch — 104

• Sacks — Kamerion Wimbley — 9

• Interceptions — Michael Huff — 3

2011 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Broncos

Week 2: @ Bills

Week 3: NY Jets

Week 4: Patriots

Week 5: @ Texans

Week 6: Browns

Week 7: Chiefs

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: Broncos

Week 10: @ Chargers

Week 11: @ Vikings

Week 12: Bears

Week 13: @ Dolphins

Week 14: @ Packers

Week 15: Lions

Week 16: @ Chiefs

Week 17: Chargers

Analysis: Like their AFC West counterparts, the Raiders had problems with sacks last season. The O-line allowed 44 sacks on the season. Rookie C Stefen Wisniewski will start right away, but that is about all the Raiders did to help the situation. But, that is not the only problem the Raiders have on offense. QB Jason Campbell isn’t great. He barely got over 2,300 passing yards last year and the team lost their leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, TE Zach Miller. But, they were able to replace them with workhorse TE Kevin Boss from the NY Giants. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey hasn’t yet lived up to his draft selection, but WR Jacoby Ford and WR Louis Murphy can produce. However, without a quarterback who can distribute the ball, the receivers can't score points. The Raiders did pick up QB Trent Edwards in free agency, and don’t be surprised to see a battle during the season. The one shining point is the Raiders still have the running back combo of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Defensively, the Raiders only loss was CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Unfortunately, that is a big loss. CB Chris Johnson and CB Stanford Routt will fill in, but hopefully the front line led by DT Richard Seymour and DE Lamarr Houston can put some pressure on opposing quarterbacks to help out. Ultimately, the Raiders improved last season, going 8-8, but they didn’t add much to keep improving in 2011. They benefited by playing in a weak division last season, but I think the Chargers will be tougher this year and the Chiefs will continue to battle for a playoff division.

2011 Season Prediction: 6 – 10, Third in the AFC West

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