Oakland Raiders: Three Bold Team Predictions for the 2016 Season

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Members of the Oakland Raiders huddle prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Members of the Oakland Raiders huddle prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next

FG Short of the AFC Championship

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Derek Carr (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Most of the predictions for the Raiders have them winning somewhere between nine to eleven games, with a wildcard berth being likely and the division being up for grabs.

But what about after that? If Oakland gets into the playoffs, how far can they go?

I’ll say they grab a wildcard spot, and not only that, but they win their first playoff game. For an upstart, young team that hasn’t appeared in a playoff game since 2002, and considering they will be underdogs, this is quite the accomplishment.

Heading into the second playoff game, Oakland will either play the first or the second seed. They’ll be even bigger underdogs, but they’ll put up a fight.

But they fall a field goal short of making an appearance in the AFC Championship.

That course would be heartbreaking defeat. The hope and the goal for every team is to win the Super Bowl, but the team and the fans will have a lot to be proud of if this is the type of season the Raiders put together.