Can The Oakland Raiders Go 10-6, Part 4

The defense will be led by third year man and former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams at DE. After last year's 14 sacks, Williams is making the Texans look smart for passing on Reggie Bush for him in the draft. The front seven may give the Raiders some trouble rushing the ball with Amobie Okoye, DeMeco Ryans, and Williams but can do enough to balance out the offensive attack.

I think the Raiders' defense can finally do enough to contain the Texans' offense this year though, and the Raiders' offense can score enough to pull out the win.

Also I think this week San Diego locks up the division title, forcing the Raiders into a fight for a wild card spot.

Final: Raiders win 23-19

Week 17: Raiders at Buccaneers

Last meeting: Raiders win 30-20 in Oakland, 2004

The Buccaneers haven't done much this offseason except Gruden's mandatory 12 free agent quarterback signings. They lost a host of free agents that were either situational players or nearing the end of their careers.

The defense is still good and even though the core of the unit is aging (Ronde Barber, Derick Brooks), the rest of them are still young and the unit did pretty well last year. They will be tough to run or pass on when the Raiders come to town.

Luckily for Russell and the Raiders they don't have to deal with Florida weather because the schedule makers did Oakland another favor and gave them Tampa in December.

The Bucs' offense has a pretty good QB in Jeff Garcia and they have a strong running game. The passing game is weak because there aren't any good receivers. but with the defense that's in place they can get away with that in the regular season.

I think the standings will dictate how this game ends and more importantly who plays in it. If the Raiders are at the 10 wins I predict them at and the Chargers have already clinched the division, then there is a good chance the Raiders will have a wild-card spot locked up. 

Thus allowing them to rest their starters in this game. Bucs win in this scenario.

It's the same on the other side. Like last year, I expect the Buccaneers to rest their guys if they have a playoff spot locked up. They may even be fighting for the division with the Panthers and/or Saints. Raiders win in this scenario.

If both teams are resting their starters it won't matter who wins or by how much. If that happens, this basically becomes a preseason game that counts in the standings.

If both teams should play their starters I think the Bucs win, barely. The defense should be able to contain the Raiders' offense (think Monte knows his son's offense?), while the offense might be able to get some points in by cashing in on turnovers and such.

Final (if starters play): Buccaneers win 17-10.

I think 10-6 is a real possibility with all the moves the Raiders have made during the offseason and the opponents they will line up against this year. I think wild card is also a real possibility. Season starts on Sept. 8 for this team; we'll find out then.

Here's to the new football season.

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