Will the raiders fall flat on their face?

[Brees#1]

There is so much hype on them you have to wonder if they can handle it? Ntm outside of Crabtree and Cooper, they're nothing. So will their defense take it to the next level this year? Is Lynch really the answer?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Balljim55]

Define fall flat on their face.

I do think they are in the hunt with KC for an AFC West championship.
I do not think they are yet a SB contender.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

I'm buying

Them falling on their face

Defense stinks
Carr a weee bit overhyped IMO
Asking a lot of Lynch, who wasn't all that good his last season in Sea

I buy them as a playoff contender max

 

[fishinabarrel]

Should be in the hunt for the AFC West and possible AFC championship appearance if they catch some breaks. Defense needs another year of improvement before I'd start thinking SB. I'm excited bc they are showing steady improvement every year as a team and the FO is making some really good decisions. Future should be bright. I'll be more than happy with playoffs this year. To me, falling flat on their face would be 7 or less wins and I don't think that happens

 

[fishinabarrel]

There is so much hype on them you have to wonder if they can handle it? Ntm outside of Crabtree and Cooper, they're nothing. So will their defense take it to the next level this year? Is Lynch really the answer?

Do you mean WR or their whole team?

 

[Sir Robin Of Camelot]

They're going to be just fine. Watching the game Saturday night, I saw signs that the defense will be improved from last season. Incrementally, that will help. The O-Line looks like they will be every bit as good as they were last year. If the skill players execute, this team will be in the hunt for a Super Bowl berth. I don't see any reason why that won't be the case.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I would define falling on their face as not contending for the DIV, that would be under acheiving this season.

The RAIDERS come back to earth a bit record wise, but so does KC so I think it's at least a 2 horse race in the AFCW. If DEN figures out the QB spot early, it will be a 3 horse race.

Do they have what it takes to win a playoff game, imo yes. I do not see them beating a healthy PIT or NE in the playoffs though.

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

There is so much hype on them you have to wonder if they can handle it? Ntm outside of Crabtree and Cooper, they're nothing. So will their defense take it to the next level this year? Is Lynch really the answer?

I doubt it. If Carr does not get injured they probably would have made it to the AFC championship. They have a good young core there.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

I would define falling on their face as not contending for the DIV, that would be under acheiving this season.

The RAIDERS come back to earth a bit record wise, but so does KC so I think it's at least a 2 horse race in the AFCW. If DEN figures out the QB spot early, it will be a 3 horse race.

Do they have what it takes to win a playoff game, imo yes. I do not see them beating a healthy PIT or NE in the playoffs though.

Pretty much my thoughts

Falling on their face to me means not meeting the SB expectations many seem to project for them

 

[Ricky Roma]

I see something like a 10-6/11-5 record. They were 3-1 in games last season in which they gave up 30 points...and those type of games the record can easily be reversed. Everything was going in their direction it seems until the Carr injury.

In some ways, they are the Cowboys of the AFC....mostly riding an offense that I think will take a step back.

 

[redseat]

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Pretty much my thoughts

Falling on their face to me means not meeting the SB expectations many seem to project for them

Those are pretty high standards for a team that won maybe 2 games (TN & TB were 9-7) on the road vs a team with a winning record LY.

This season, they open @ TN...lot more expectations in TN this season...I think TN will win that one...scanning the rest of the schedule...10-6 I think is a good season in OAK...SB? I don't see enough improvement of DEF personnel to even put the Raiders in the SB, much less win it.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I see something like a 10-6/11-5 record. They were 3-1 in games last season in which they gave up 30 points...and those type of games the record can easily be reversed. Everything was going in their direction it seems until the Carr injury.

In some ways, they are the Cowboys of the AFC....mostly riding an offense that I think will take a step back.

Exactly...while I think DAL has the more sustainable OFC because of the running game and OL...play calling I think will be a huge factor for DAL staying in the top 10 on OFC.

OAK's OFC was more in the mold of ATL's I think, but again, without the running prowess....imo they will come back a little more than DAL does on OFC, but adding Lynch should help them if he's used well...just handing it to him 25 times a game might not work.

 

[poprocksncoke]

If they have to rely on the defense, yes. Outside of Cooper and Crabtree their nothing??? Did you even see what happened in the playoffs last year? Without Carr they go nowhere.

 

[tducey]

They're a team on the rise and should do well again this year.

 

[Balljim55]

Some of their wins last year were from some very chancy calls from what I remember. Tough to have long term success when you gamble too much. Very good team but not quite as good as their record last year.

 

[Pattersonca65]

I think they will be fine offensively as long as Carr is healthy. The offense will be good but I question whether the defense will improve enough to take it to the next level.

 

[megalodon30]

Hope so. Go Broncos!

 

[Inimical]

Ive watched Derek Carr improve and make throws only the elites make. The defense has improved slighty every year and they gained that record last year with much to be desired on that end. If Marshawn can get 1000 yards i dont see why the Raiders wouldnt be a serious contender for the AFC title game.