Las Vegas Raiders: JustBlogBaby Staff predictions for the 2020 NFL season
By Brad Weiss
Las Vegas Raiders: JustBlogBaby Staff predictions for the 2020 NFL season
Micah McDonald, Contributor
The Raiders are undoubtedly a better team this year then in 2019, which saw them finishing the season 7-9. They’ve upgraded talent all across the board, including completely overhauling their biggest concern which was at the linebacker position. Additions through free agency and the NFL Draft have bolstered both sides of the ball, giving Jon Gruden and Derek Carr the weapons they’ve needed, providing youthful talent and depth within the defensive backs, and adding veterans at key positions like Malik Collins and Jason Witten.
The Raiders aren’t the only ones who got better though, as the very tough AFC West improved in their own ways as well. The Broncos added some weapons for young QB Drew Lock, the Chargers added talent to an already dangerous defense while also potentially finding Phillip Rivers’ heir, and the Division Champion and Super Bowl winning Chiefs upgraded the weakest facet of their explosive offense by drafting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Even though the Raiders get a bit of breather this year as far as strength of schedule is concerned, the first six weeks seem to be the most daunting. Within that stretch the Raiders have to face the Saints, Patriots, Chiefs, and newly remodeled Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After that though the rest of their opponents (outside of playing the Chiefs again) are teams that are either rebuilding or unproven.
So if they can get through the first half of the season at or above .500, they could once again be in the driver’s seat for a potential playoff run. Then again, we saw them do exactly that last year and come up short. Lets hope the first year in Las Vegas doesn’t mirror where they left off in Oakland.