4 reasons why the Oakland Raiders will contend in the AFC West

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass under pressure by inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos in the first half of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass under pressure by inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos in the first half of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders and head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders and head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The Oakland Raiders dominated in their second preseason game of 2019, and things are certainly starting to look up for the Silver and Black.

The AFC West is arguably the toughest division and football, and the Oakland Raiders were at the bottom of it last season. The Chiefs and Chargers both made the playoffs, the Broncos are usually a solid team, and the Raiders are often the team that sits at the tail end of the standings.

This is a completely different Raiders team than we have seen in recent years, being more skilled at almost every position than not only last year, but possibly even the 2016 team. Skill does not always result in wins, but this is a team that has high potential.

With that being said, the Chiefs and Chargers have even more talent than the Raiders, and with the Raiders having the toughest schedule in the league, all signs point towards the Raiders struggling. Let’s take a look at why that assumption could turn out wrong, and why the Raiders will contend in the AFC West.