JBB Staff Column: Five Questions on the Oakland Raiders

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to throw a pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

A five-question Q&A with the JBB Staff on the Oakland Raiders 2016 outlook.

With the season getting underway in less than 24 hours, the long wait for Oakland Raiders football to officially be back is nearly over.

There are plenty of questions that we’ll have to wait to be answered, such as how the team will fare this season.

Here are five of those questions, with answers from the JBB Staff.

Sep 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stretches before the game Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

1. What will the be the Raiders Win/Loss record?

Blackhanside: 10-6.

Brazy: I think a 2-3 win increase over last year is reasonable. I’ll say 10-6.

Dylan: 9-7.

Justin: The Raiders have a young offense that continues to improve and a defense with a good mix of youth and veteran leadership. They filled most of their holes via free agency this offseason, and are poised to challenge for the division with a 10-6 record.

Nick: I’ve gone back and forth between 9-7 and 10-6 throughout the offseason. The preseason didn’t help create optimism, but I’m a believer in the talent that is in place. 10-6.

Seth: 11-5.

Tyler D.: 10-6. I’m going to swing for the fences and I’m confident in this team. #GoRaiders.

Tyler R.: Given that the expectations for the Raiders since post-free agency have been playoffs and nothing less, it seems as though a record of 10-6, or even 11-5, is by all means possible for this team.

I am standing firmly with the fact that their talent, and while still young, their experience, can get double-digit wins. That being said, the Raiders will go 10-6 on the season.

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21) reacts in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Will the Raiders 13-year playoff drought end in 2016? If so, via wildcard or by winning the division?

Blackhanside: The Raiders squeak into the playoffs by way of wildcard.

Brazy: Yes, they will win the division.

Dylan: With the Pats, Steelers, Texans, and Chiefs winning their respective divisions, that leaves two spots for the Bengals, Broncos, Colts, Raiders, and an up-and-coming Jaguars team.

The Bengals are a near-lock, so we could be looking at a Week 17 matchup between the Raiders and Broncos — winner takes the Wild Card.

Justin: Yes, via wildcard. I believe the Broncos can win the division with their running game and defense, and that Paxton Lynch will start sooner than later and play well. I believe the Raiders will finish second in the division, tied with KC, at 10-6.

Nick: Yes. The division will be tough, with three teams battling for top dog. Oakland is close, but still unproven. I think they’ll do enough to earn a wildcard berth.

Seth: Yes, via wildcard.

Tyler D.: I think if the season flows the Raiders way and they go10-6, they’ll win the division and play a wildcard team at home.

Tyler R.: The 13-year playoff drought will end this season — whether by division title or wildcard, I’m not sure. As seen last night, Denver still has a very scary defense, and a compatible flow of offensive play calling and execution that will not hurt them to the point of throwing them out of playoff contention.

In a 10-6 scenario, the division title could very well come down to the Week 17 showdown in Denver. Oakland will win that contest, and finally host a playoff game for the first time since 2003.

Jun 15, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. If the Raiders do make the playoffs, how far will they advance?

Blackhanside: Depends, East coast games? 1st round exit. West Coast? Championship.

Brazy: I think they win it all. Super homer, but so what. Ha.

Dylan: If they do end up beating the Broncos on the road in Week 17 for the last spot, they’ll come up short on the road in the Wild Card game. But you know what, after 13 years of heartache, I’d take it.

Justin: I think with their lack of experience and the amount of youth on this team, that they lose their wildcard game as they’ll likely have to travel to a cold-weather climate or potential East Coast opponent, neither of which is their strength.

Nick: As a wildcard team, Oakland will play in the opening week of the playoffs. They’ll face either a #3 or #4 seed, and I think they’ll pull off the upset.

Seth: Divisional round.

Tyler D.: Loss in the divisional round. I don’t know if this team is at the point of “elite” yet — we need one more year in my opinion.

Tyler R.: If having a healthy Mario Edwards Jr. and a non-suspended Aldon Smith, while also having just clinched the AFC West in Denver ensuring a home game at the Coliseum, the AFC Championship game is absolutely plausible.

A likely matchup with the Patriots or Steelers would be epic and a true test for Carr and Del Rio. Not to mention a salute to the past, with both franchises having been a thorn in the side of Raider Nation. The Raiders road ends at the AFC Championship game.

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) congratulates wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) after Cooper made a second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

4. Name one offensive and one defensive player poised for a breakout season.

Blackhanside: Menelik Watson. Denico Autry. Because….of course.

Brazy: Bruce Irvin and Clive.

Dylan: We’ve seen Kyle Rudolph and Zach Ertz both blossom under OC Bill Musgrave’s tutelage. *looks at Clive Walford* It’s time, young man.

On the defensive side of the ball, I had Mario Edwards Jr. tabbed to make waves, but injuries squashed that real quick. No worries, Denico Autry will pick up where he left off last season.

Justin: Offense: Seth Roberts. He will emerge as one of the top slot receivers in the NFL and one of Carr’s favorite targets, as teams double-team Cooper and Crabtree and are forced to leave their nickel or dime backs covering Roberts, who’s too quick.

Defense: Jihad Ward. I know he’s a rookie, but he’s going to get more opportunities with Edwards Jr. being out, and has shown the speed, athleticism and strength to play both 3-technique DT and 5-technique DE. He’s going to be a stud by the end of the year.

Nick: Amari Cooper seems like a cop-out of an answer, but it has to be home. He flashed big-time potential last year, and now that he is in his second season with Carr and the offense, he’ll be considered a top ten wide receiver by the time January comes around.

Seth: Offense: Clive Walford. Defense: Denico Autry.

Tyler D.: Offense: Amari Cooper. He flirted with it last year but an injury held him back. This year, he levitates himself towards being a top ten player at his position.

Tyler R.: Amari Cooper, Amari Cooper and Amari Cooper. The kid is set to be a top ten receiver this year, and a top five for the next five years. A not 100% healthy rookie pro bowl season is a precursor to Antonio Brown-like potential.

Defensively, David Amerson showed he wasn’t the bust that Washington thought he was. He will back that up with a top ten showing at the cornerback position, showing why McKenzie was a genius for locking him up for the foreseeable future.

May 13, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) during rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. What is your boldest prediction for the Raiders, either as a team or for a player, for the upcoming season?

Blackhanside: 3 Pro Bowl linemen…ON EACH SIDE OF THE BALL.

Brazy: Bruce Irvin has 16 sacks and the Raiders bring home the Lombardi, in their last year playing in Oakland.

Dylan: Derek Carr is unconscious for sixteen straight weeks, has fever dreams that he’s still playing ball in Fresno, and throws for 4,500 yards with 35 TD’s.

Justin: My boldest prediction is that DeAndre Washington will be the team’s starting running back by the end of the season. Murray is great but Washington showed special vision and burst during the preseason, he can pass protect even for a smaller guy, and his skills catching the ball out of the backfield are quite enticing.

Washington will be the lead back by season’s end — and that’s more to do with how good Washington is than a lack of faith in Murray.

Nick: I actually have three bold player predictions as well as three bold team-specific predictions.

Seth: Khalil Mack wins defensive player of the year, and Derek Carr finishes in the top five in both passing yards and touchdowns.

Tyler D.: Khalil Mack will best the NFL single-season sack record this year, with 24.5.

Tyler R.: I can’t say my boldest prediction is winning the super bowl, because I don’t think it is totally insane. Bias or not, crazier things have happened in EVERY sport. So I’ll say Khalil Mack becomes the first defensive player to win NFL MVP since Lawrence Taylor.