Sorry, no 16-0 predictions over here. While I believe the first-half schedule will be difficult to overcome, I see the Raiders making a mid-season run to put them in position to make the playoffs. That may seem nuts to everyone else (except Louis Riddick), but hear me out . . .

9/9 7:20pm PST vs Denver Broncos (Monday Night Football)

WIN (1-0) – The Coli will be rocking for the final season opener as the “Oakland Raiders”. Although Denver should have a stingy defense, I think we see the Derek Carr to Antonio Brown connection get off to a good start, with a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield. I’ll say that Paul Guenther’s revamped defense keeps Phillip Lindsay in check, puts Joe Flacco in difficult third & long situations, and even registers a couple of sacks. Raiders win by double digits.

9/15 1:05pm PST vs Kansas City Chiefs

LOSS (1-1) – This one is tough. As much as Kansas City has had the advantage over the Raiders in recent years, the matchup in Oakland is usually close. I’ll do my best to stay somewhat objective and say the Raiders lose a shootout to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. I’ll be in attendance, so I take no joy in saying that.

9/22 10:00am PST at Minnesota Vikings

LOSS (1-2) – I speak from personal experience when I say that the fans in Minnesota are LOUD. The Vikings got Dalvin Cook back and healthy, plus some explosive receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs on the outside, so I can see the Raider defense having a tough day at the office. I flipped on this game a few times, but I’ll refrain from going full fan-boy and say the Raiders slip up on the road.

9/29 10:00am PST at Indianapolis Colts

WIN (2-2) – No Captain Andrew Luck, no problem. I do respect Jacoby Brissett as a legit QB, but I think the Oakland defense can check the Luck-less Colts enough to allow Carr and the offense to go win the game. The Colts defense was middle-of-the-pack last year against the pass, and with no high-profile corners to stay with AB, the chicken plan should feast.

10/6 10:00am PST vs Chicago Bears (London)

LOSS (2-3) – I am a fan of the improvements that the Raiders made to the offensive line this offseason, as Trent Brown is no joke and Kolton Miller should be better (and healthier, hopefully). With that said, the Bears defense was pretty damn good before they acquired Khalil Mack. Then, #52 took that defense to another level, propelling Chicago to 12 wins and a division title a year ago. With that in mind, the Raiders offense may struggle to run the football and protect Carr, which leads me to believe they’d need to win a low scoring game and I just don’t think Oakland’s defense is there yet. Oh, and the Raiders never play well in London. So there’s that.

BYE WEEK

10/20 10:00am PST at Green Bay Packers

LOSS (2-4) – It won’t be frozen tundra season just yet, but going to Lambeau with Aaron Rodgers on the field and coming away with a victory won’t be easy. If the Raiders are struggling to rush the passer, #12 is the last QB you want to face. Oakland could be much improved in that area, but I think this is another situation where Carr and the offense will need to drop 35 to have a shot.

10/27 10:00am PST at Houston Texans

WIN (3-4) – Another tough opponent, but this is the last of the brutal schedule, as they’ll have a three-game home stand after this. But, do they fall to 2-5 and start to unravel? Or do the Raiders pull it together, get a win on the road against a good Texans team and turn the season around before they head home next week? I say they show up and show out, refuse to lose and get what may be their toughest road win of the season.

11/3 1:05pm PST vs Detroit Lions

WIN (4-4) – Matthew Stafford is an underrated quarterback in this league, but I don’t think the Lions will be very good this year. Also, the Raiders will be playing at home (in Oakland) for the first time since week 2, so there should be some added emotion.

11/7 5:20pm PST vs “Los Angeles” Chargers (Thursday Night Football)

WIN (5-4) – On a short week, I usually ride with the home team. This will likely be a pretty important game within the division, as I’ll assume that each team’s respective record should be within a game or two. This is also the final scheduled home game against a division opponent in the history of the Oakland Raiders. It’ll likely be a close game, but give me Derek Carr with the game on the line all day.

11/17 1:25pm PST vs Cincinnati Bengals

WIN (6-4) – A third home game in a row, off of 10 day’s rest, against the Bengals… this has to be one of the more winnable games of the season. Raiders take care of business for their fourth win in a row.

11/24 10:00am PST at New York Jets

WIN (7-4) – This is low key the battle of the former Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell versus Antonio Brown. With that said, Gruden’s squad is back on the road… can they make it five in a row? The answer is yes. Sam Darnold is a heck of a young quarterback, but I think the Raiders will be the better team this season (and will be riding the momentum of this long winning streak!). AB shows off against his former pal and helps Oakland take another step towards the playoffs.

12/1 10:00am PST at Kansas City Chiefs

LOSS (7-5) – In the Derek Carr era (2014-present), the Raiders have averaged 12.2 points per game at Arrowhead Stadium, having never eclipsed 17 points scored. As much as we all talk about the struggles in KC, I’m sure it bugs #4 more than anybody. Not sure how I can predict a W here, so I won’t. Let’s just hope they show some life in this outing and keep it competitive.

12/8 1:25pm PST vs Tennessee Titans

WIN (8-5) – I’ll go ahead and project that Ryan Tannehill will be starting at QB for the Titans at this point in the season, while they sit at fourth place in the AFC South. I think the Raiders win a smash mouth, lower scoring game against a stingy Tennessee defense, getting themselves to .500 for just the fourth time since 2002.

12/15 1:25pm PST vs Jacksonville Jaguars

WIN (9-5) – THE FINAL HOME GAME IN OAKLAND… wow. What a ride it has been. I expect many, many all-time great Oakland Raiders to be in attendance, so no way am I projecting the Silver & Black to drop an L in this game. While Jacksonville has a good defense and will likely get a huge lift in QB play with the Nick Foles addition, I think AB/DC gives the alumni a show. Jalen Ramsey will be very emotional after #84 smokes him a dozen times.

12/22 1:25pm PST at “Los Angeles” Chargers

LOSS (9-6) – Another game I’m attending where I have the Raiders losing. What am I doing to myself? Basically projecting my own misery. That said, Derwin James will likely be back, he’s a difference maker on an already solid defense. Chargers win and tighten things up in the wild card race.

12/29 1:25pm PST at Denver Broncos

WIN (10-6) – I’ll make this EXTRA DRAMATIC. A win and the Raiders are in. A loss and they miss the playoffs. Denver rookie QB Drew Lock will likely be back mid-season off of IR, so I’ll presume he’s starting over Joe Flacco at this point in the season, as I don’t foresee the Broncos being in playoff contention. As badly as Denver would want to knock their heated rival out of the postseason, I’ll get extra bold and say Derek Carr throws for 300, against Fangio’s defense, with the season on the line and lifts the Raiders to the playoffs for the first time since 2016! If that’s not boomin’, I don’t know what is.

Final Record: 10-6

(Featured Image: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)