Oakland Raiders: Breaking down the schedule

Ok, the draft is in the books, the first rookie training camp is done, and now they're dusting off the regular players a little....we've had a look around, to see who's looking good, who's looking rusty....and who is going to be unemployed.

Now, this week by week look, is based off of educational guesses, of various points of interest. Being the Raiders have a weak schedule, 3rd easiest in the league....improvement should happen.

Week one: Denver at Oakland - Here is the start of either a season of glory, or a year of frustration. Last year, Oakland lost a heartbreaker due to a late, and poorly timed call, but exacted revenge, when Denver visited the Black Hole....and watched the Playoffs vanish.

I'm picking Oakland to start off the year 1-0, simple due, to the running game is going to be at full strength. Expect Fargas to make the Broncos to look strong....then drop the curtain, and watch McFadden fly into the secondary. 28-10

Week two: Oakland at KC - Another place Oakland won in 2007, but this time, it'll be a matchup of the 4th and 5 picks, from the NFL draft. Glenn Dorsey, obviously, will look forward to seeing, and stopping McFadden.

But the question is....who's going to help him, if Jared Allen is in Minnesota?

A weak QB situation spells a problem with keeping drives going, and unless Larry Johnson is ready to run and run well, this game is Oaklands, 24-14

Week three: Oakland at Buffalo - back in the 1990s, this was a normal occurance, however, both clubs, are now looking for the way back. This one will be interesting, as former Raider Langston Walker will be with the Bills....and thankfully, it won't be snowing this early in the season. Shouldn't be a problem, either, Oakland wins 30-14

Week four: San Diego Chargers at Oakland - This is where Oakland will hit a roadblock. The litmus test, has been for a number of years, LT loves to run on Oakland, or rather, run over Oakland. This much, is basic knowledge. However, like last year's first game, we kept it close. I'll give this one to San Diego, but if Philip Rivers isn't healthy, or LT shows signs of his injury, Oakland can steal this one.

Chargers, 24, Oakland 14

Then a bye week.....waaaaay too early, as usual.

week six: Oakland at New Orleans Saints - Ah, the joys of the Superdome. Oakland fans will remember it as the land where cinderella played, when Plunkett etched himself in memory.

That was then, this is now.

Oakland's new RB, vs Reggie Bush....this game should be classical, if both teams say, run for about 600 yards each, but you know someone will try passing. After all, the Saints have Drew Brees, and the Raiders have Zach Miller.

Expect this one to be a last team standing win, for Oakland, 24-21

Special Bonus, if Janikowski kicks a record 65 yard field goal indoors to win it!

Week seven: New York Jets at Oakland - This one, even on paper, didn't look pretty. New York, is looking at a QB question, with Chad Pennington trying to get his job back from Kellen Clemens. One thing Raiders fans know, is that QB problems are not fun for a team. About the one bright spot for this club, has been Leon Washington, who's gotten 3 TDs, on Kick returns.

Unless the Raiders kick a lot, don't bank on New York coming out on top.

Oakland wins, 30-13

Week eight: Raiders at Baltimore Ravens - Here's a matchup, that can go either way. The Ravens last year, had a subpar year, but almost beat the Patriots.

Of Course, the same Ravens lost to the Dolphins last year, too.

Baltimore's forte has always been a strong, stingy defense, which could stop the Raiders running game, or force Oakland to go into a short field work. Could be a breakout game for Miller, and then McFadden keeping them off balance.

Oakland wins, 27-24

Week nine: Atlanta Falcons at Oakland - Hey DeAngelo! Look who came to play!

Now, I can imagine, a lot of people will want to give Matt Ryan a chance, hey, he's a good kid.

He just got dropped into a bad position....and expected to succeed.

Add into the fact, that DeAngelo will probably play at a higher degree, than last year....this could be ugly.

Oakland Wins, 40-14

Week ten: Carolina at Oakland - This one, like a couple others, hinges on a few things. Will Jake Delhomme still be QB?

Will everyone else be healthy?

And what sort of impact, will Jonathan Stewart have with his club? Can he take the pressure off the QB?

And on the same note, will Oakland continue to be healthy, or does a WR injury, a dropped pass, or just bad luck finally happen?

I'm sticking with Oakland....if they've only had one loss by now, the Black Hole will be rowdy, loud.....and for some reason, Oakland loves home cookin.

Oakland 30-14

Week eleven: Oakland visits Miami - A replay of last year, in which Oakland owned the Dolphins, thanks to a Culpepper turn back the clock day. On this day, Josh McCown, former Raider, will face off against his former club, and will have good results.

In the first half.

Oakland, 35-14

Week twelve: Oakland vs Denver - Here, I think, is where Oakland will run out of luck. Denver always plays at home well, against Oakland.....well, at least when the refs are well paid. It's late in the year, could have the snow flying.....and by now, Shanahan will be threatening to make a losing player work at Sooper Dooper as punishment....

Denver wins, 30-27 OT

Week 13: Kansas City at Oakland - KC coming into Oakland would like to find the weather nice, bright and sunny. I'd love to see it Rainy, Soupy...and then the Running Backs on both sides would become worthless.

Why?

Because, we still have a better QB, and we have Zach Miller for First downs.

Oakland 10-7

Week 14: Oakland at San Diego - Here's where we can prove our mettle. Here's where we seperate the men from the boys. And here, is where we find out how far we've come.....or, how far we need to go.

Oakland will take a loss....but again, injury aside, if either of San Diego's stars are missing....Oakland will win.

San Diego 28-14

Week 15: New England Patriots at Oakland - This is a game, that has been marked on our calendar. Moss, and his return to Oakland. The crowd, as expected, should be loud, rowdy, and noisy.

Oakland will have it's hands full, on this matchup. Moss and Welke will push DeAngelo Hall and Nmandi Asomugha, and Brady will be working around a stronger defensive pressure.

As well, New England will have to work on keeping McFadden behind the line, if not, this game will be over quickly.

New England, late last year, had some close games.

I'll take a chance, on Oakland giving them their first loss.

Oakland 24-21 OT

Week 16: Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders - This, is one that has always puzzled me.

Houston, before last year, never got to .500.

Yet, against Oakland, they're 3-0.

After a hard fought game, and a playoff spot locked up.....

Yep, they drop this one, too.

Texans 21-17

Week 17: Oakland at Tampa Bay - Some would call this the Raider Bowl, or the Kiffin Cup. With as much going on between two clubs, you can imagine it'll be like the high school reunion no one wants to go to.

The great question will be, will Gruden be playing for pride, a playoff spot, or resting for the playoffs?

If he's resting, we'll win. If not....

Bucs 28-14

So, in recap:

Oakland goes 10-6, Probably takes a Wild Card, unless they win one of the games against San Diego. After that, it's anyone's guess who they'll face in the playoffs. But it'll be a nice change of pace, watching the Raiders in the playoffs....Instead of seeing Denver get wiped out by Indy.