5 Most Pivotal Games on Oakland Raiders' 2015 Schedule
The Oakland Raiders finished the 2014 season on a high note after going winless in the first 10 games.
Every game on the 2015 schedule will serve as a proving ground for this new roster. Who are these Raiders? Are they similar to the 0-10 team that started the previous season or the 3-3 team that started clicking in the final six games?
On paper, this looks like a much-improved team, but how quickly can it jell and put together some pivotal wins?
In a season preview, the Raiders were projected to lose four out of five crucial games that we'll discuss going forward. However, these games are toss-ups and could swing in the Raiders' favor.
Six regular-season wins could potentially become eight or nine if the Raiders pull off victories in a few of the following contests.
Week 2 vs. Baltimore Ravens
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The Raiders start the season with two home games against two playoff teams in 2014. Oakland could grasp the attention of the league by upsetting the Baltimore Ravens. It’s actually a conceivable outcome.
The Ravens enter the season operating under a new offensive scheme with new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman replacing Gary Kubiak. Quarterback Joe Flacco’s deep-threat wide receiver Torrey Smith signed with the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason. Wide receiver Steve Smith, 36, proved he can still play but starts his 15th year in the league. There’s a lot of wear and tear on those tires.
There’s also a small question about running back Justin Forsett. Can he replicate his only 1,000-plus-yard rushing season in 2014? According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Forsett was on the verge of retiring before signing with the Ravens last year.
Regardless of Forsett’s efforts, there are nearly 650 pounds of manpower blocking traffic in the middle with Dan Williams and Justin Ellis at defensive tackle.
Oakland's upgrades to the defensive line could force Flacco into depending on an older receiver who doesn’t possess the same quickness of years past and a rookie wide receiver in Breshad Perriman.
A win against the Ravens would shock plenty, but this AFC North powerhouse went through some offseason changes that need fine-tuning. Week 2 is a perfect time for an upset.
Week 4 at Chicago Bears
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The Bears struggled in the past two seasons, but they brought in John Fox as head coach, Adam Gase as offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator.
Fox and Gase know the Raiders inside and out as former AFC West foes on the Denver Broncos' staff. Fangio put together hard-nosed defenses with the 49ers over the last four seasons. The Bears should see a spike in wins in 2015.
With that said, Chicago experienced lapses in pass protection leaving Cutler vulnerable for 38 sacks in 2014. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack’s new focus on quarterbacks could lead to a feast on Cutler if the line protection continues to falter.
Fangio must handle the task of improving one of the worst defenses in the last two seasons, ranking 31st in 2014 and 30th in 2013 in points allowed per game. Oakland will take the field with a plethora of offensive weapons to attack a recovering defense.
Quarterback Derek Carr will take the field with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on the perimeter, a dual set of receiving tight ends and an eager Latavius Murray ready for the big stage as the starting running back.
At 6’3”, 216 pounds, Alshon Jeffery poses the biggest threat to the Raiders' secondary as a big-play receiver with the departure of wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Oakland stands a decent chance of stealing one in Chicago if cornerback Keith McGill (6’3”, 211 lbs) neutralizes Jeffery on the perimeter.
Luckily, the Raiders went with Cooper over Kevin White in the 2015 NFL draft.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com), White may start the season on the physically unable to perform list. White’s shin splints injury robbed him of valuable training camp reps and could render him a non-factor due to his unrefined route-running skills.
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
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The New York Jets won their last two games against the Raiders with mediocre performances from quarterback Geno Smith. Oakland has the better quarterback in this contest, and Derek Carr finally has the offensive skill players to compete with the Jets' high-end defense.
Gang Green doesn’t have an explosive or dynamic running back stable, featuring three ball-carriers who tend to take the inside route in Chris Ivory, Zac Stacy and Stevan Ridley. Based on their career receiving stats, none of the Jets' running backs pose a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie serve as major upgrades in the pass defense, but Carr should attack the linebackers in the intermediate passing attack. According to Football Outsiders, the Jets ranked 31st in tight end coverage in 2014.
Fortunately, Carr can opt to attack inside linebackers Demario Davis and Davis Harris with tight ends Clive Walford and Mychal Rivera.
This game could be a low-scoring slugfest with the Raiders' improved interior defense, the Jets' talented defense and a lukewarm Smith at quarterback.
It's also worth noting, the Jets game is sandwiched in between a tough four-game stretch. The Raiders play the Broncos in Week 5, get a bye week, go on the road to play the San Diego Chargers and then on the road again against the Pittsburgh Steelers after the Jets. Oakland must avoid a potential mid-season losing streak by conquering the Jets on their turf.
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Week 14 at Denver Broncos
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According to Pro Football Focus, quarterback Peyton Manning struggled tremendously in the final quarter of the 2014 season, throwing just three touchdowns and six interceptions in four games.
There was some speculation of an injury, but at some point, Father Time catches up with everyone—including the 39-year-old Manning.
The Broncos may continue the trend of leaning on their rushing attack toward the end of the season to preserve Manning for a potential playoff run, which makes this game a potential steal for the Raiders.
Manning failed to throw a touchdown pass against the Raiders in Week 17 of the 2014 season, but C.J. Anderson was able to score three touchdowns against the league’s 22nd-ranked run defense.
The additions of Williams in the middle and second-round pick defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. on the edge should keep Anderson from running wild.
Manning is 6-0 against the Raiders in a Broncos uniform, but changes to Denver's pass protection give Oakland a slither of hope for an upset. Offensive guard Orlando Franklin signed with San Diego Chargers in the offseason and Ryan Clady tore his ACL, ending his season before it started.
Week 17 at Kansas City Chiefs
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The Raiders shattered a 10-game losing streak against the Kansas City Chiefs in the previous season, and it’s important that the Raiders end 2015 on a high note against a division rival.
Quarterback Alex Smith plays a safe game that minimizes mistakes but doesn’t allow him to win football games with his arm. None of the Chiefs' wide receivers scored a touchdown in 2014. Kansas City signed Jeremy Maclin, but offensive coordinator Doug Pederson must remove the shackles on Smith’s arm before we can discuss Maclin as a threat for the Chiefs.
Running back Jamaal Charles will likely continue to shoulder the load as the focal point of the offense.
Again, the Raiders defense will hone in on stopping the run as opposed to defending the pass. Smith’s unwillingness to stretch the field denies the Chiefs countless opportunities to attack the Raiders' secondary.
In 2014, the Chiefs ranked second in pass defense. Thankfully, Eric Berry returns to the field after undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. ESPN.com's Adam Teicher reports that the safety was involved in contact drills on Sunday. Berry further strengthens the Chiefs’ stingy pass defense.
Nonetheless, a strike of deja vu from Murray in the backfield (16 carries for 171 yards against the Chiefs last season) could tilt a close game in the Raiders' favor.
What's your take on these five pivotal games of the 2015 season? Share your comments below. Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for Raiders training camp news.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
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