This bye week feels completely different for fans of the Oakland Raiders (5-4). Instead of talk of who to purge or what players in the collegiate ranks could be donning Silver & Black, there’s talk of what it will take to make the post-season and how they can get there. Here are ten reasons to why the Raiders will or will not see playoff games this season:
1 — Oakland won’t make the playoffs because their schedule is brutal.
They only face two teams with sub .500 records, but one of them is the Chargers (4-5) on the road. The same San Diego team that tallied 506-total yards of offense in their week-five match-up at Oakland. Visiting Pittsburgh (6-2) after the bye and back-to-back games home versus Indianapolis (5-3) and on the road at Kansas City (5-3) could be back-breakers. The perfect scenario would be a winner takes all final game against the Chiefs – victor gets divisional title and probably the lone playoff spot an AFC West team will get. At Jacksonville (4-4) is no cakewalk and a home match-up against a Miami (4-4) who is better on the road will keep the Silver & Black on their toes.
2 – Oakland will make the playoffs because they are peaking when it matters most.
The Raiders went into the bye week winning three straight games for the first time since 2002. More importantly, they did it with key players injured and young players in vital spots. With seven games left, the team feels like they are generating momentum and gaining the confidence needed to carry them through a tough second half of the campaign.
3 – Oakland will make the playoffs because the division is weak.
Kansas City is atop the west, but you can make the case that they’ve taken advantage of their opponents’ difficulties early on their schedule. Starting today, they face the Broncos on the road, at Seattle (4-4) week-12 and back-to-back games at San Diego and St. Louis (4-4) before finishing against the Titans (5-3) and Oakland. The Chargers have a talent-laden club and could make a run, but they have to face the Colts, Raiders and Chiefs during a three-week span. They have the most favorable end to the schedule with the Bengals (2-6) and Broncos in weeks 16 and 17. The west is ripe for the taking, and if there ever was a year anyone can win it, it’s this season.
4 – Oakland will not make the playoffs because of instability at QB.
Is it Bruce Gradkowski, or Jason Campbell? Reports state that the owner wants to stay on course with Campbell, who has been under center during the three-game streak and was likened to Jim Plunkett before the start of the season. Prior to that, Tom Cable boasted that the team knew Gradkowski was their man. Regardless of who’s passing, the Raiders need them to play steady football. More importantly, the team has to be behind him completely and perform at a high level for them.
5 – Oakland will make the playoffs because their key players are playing at a Pro-Bowl level.
Darren McFadden (757-yards rushing), Zach Miller (34 rec. 461-yards 4 TD), Richard Seymour (5-sacks) and Nnamdi Asomugha are legitimate Pro-Bowl candidates. All four will prove to be important cogs on their respective units and are primed for solid second halves. Punter Shane Lechler is a lock to be an All-Pro again this season and Sebastian Janikowski, after blowing an important kick versus the Cardinals in week-three, has righted himself to lead the NFL in points (89), touchbacks (24) and field goals made (22).
6 – Oakland will make the playoffs because of their youth movement.
The Raiders have a youthful backfield with McFadden and Michael Bush. Jacoby Ford has ignited the team on special teams and is coming off an epic performance versus the Chiefs. Jared Veldheer is locking down the left tackle spot. Tyvon Branch and Mike Mitchell are developing nicely in the secondary. Rookies Rolando McClain and Lamarr Houston are expected to get better, and fullback Marcel Reece has been an underrated performer all year. The Raiders have loads of talent that are on the rise.
Rolando McClain will play a major role as the season winds down
7 – Oakland will make the playoffs because they are getting key players back from injury.
Chaz Schilens has not played a down in 2010 and Louis Murphy has missed the last two contests. That could only boost an anemic wide receiver corps, along with the return of Miller, who was inactive against the Chiefs. The Raiders run defense could get a big lift with veteran John Henderson’s return. Asomugha’s recovery will be imperative as well as the continued health of McFadden.
8 – Oakland will make the playoffs because they are learning how to win.
Cable’s bunch bounced back after a pitiful performance on the road opening day. A tough defeat at Arizona and consecutive loss to Houston was followed up by a gritty effort against the Chargers. And when they loss to San Francisco, Oakland torched Denver on the road, disposed of Seattle at home and triumphed against Kansas City in one of the best performances in front of the ‘Black Hole’ since 2002. They’ve blown out opponents and sneaked out tight victories.
9 – Oakland will not make the playoffs because of Tom Cable.
Yes, Cable has to be admired after taking over for Lane Kiffin, spending tumultuous years with JaMarcus Russell and altering the losing culture that festered in Alameda. But it is a legitimate question to ask whether or not he can ultimately lead this team into the post-season. Players have belief in him. But this is the first time this group has found success and dealing with it, trying to achieve more and taking it to the next level will be something that could either land Cable a three-year to stick around, or he’ll be allowed to move on when his contract ends.
10 – Oakland will not make the playoffs because of a tough AFC.
The conference is the class of the NFL. They are many legitimate Super Bowl contenders (Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Colts) and in a year where wild-card spots will be at a premium, Oakland may not be ready to take that next step against clubs that are seasoned and playoff tested, and that know what it takes to advance into the post-season.
FAN REACTION
Here’s what some Raiders fans think will happen, and their thoughts so far about the season from Twitter:
Best player: DMac. Best coach: Hue. Best rookie: Veldheer. Craziest Raider: Gallery and that hair!!! Go Raiders!!! – enasty7
[prediction for end of season] 9-7/DMac and line [offensive – best players]/Seymour and line on D/best moment: win over Chefs/love the blitzing and left side running. – mattcrichards
definitely has to be Jacoby’s snatch/catch away from Flowers to set up game tying field goal [best moment]. Reece’s quick slant vs Seahawks 2nd. – lopezee
11-5 [predicted finish] dmc cable huffs sack fumble return by branch to end losing streak to sd cuz it was my 1st raiders home [game], I’m from Louisiana. – Rdrs_Ahole
Follow me on Twitter, click here.
Contact Author: Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist
The Oakland Raiders 2012 opponents were announced today. They will host the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Oakland Raiders 2010 regular season schedule has been released. Their 16-game campaign has no nationally televised contest and match-ups versus out of conference opponents that reside in the NFC West.
The Oakland Raiders 2010 pre-season schedule was announced on Wednesday. The usual opponents will do battle with the Silver & Black in the summer, with the exception of the Chicago Bears, as Oakland will travel in week-two to face the NFC North participant. Dallas, Seattle are regular rivals during the pre-season, as well as the 49ers, in the yearly battle of the bay contest.
The Oakland Raiders’ opponents for 2010 have been determined.
For the fourth time in five seasons, the Oakland Raiders will open the regular season in prime time.