5 Bold Predictions for Oakland Raiders' Week 1 Matchup

Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio might ask himself: What could possibly go wrong, or what could possibly go right in the regular-season opener?

There are extremes in weighing both possibilities that may tilt the outcome of the Raiders' Week 1 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Say what you want about quarterback Andy Dalton, but his completion percentage reached 64 percent behind a solid offensive line in 2014. He’s capable of lighting up a secondary with accuracy, given time in the pocket.

The Raiders have positioned their best defensive player in a spot to collapse the pocket. Defensive end Khalil Mack poses a tough challenge as a solo wrecking ball off the edge.

We’ll discuss statistical projections in terms of extremes. What’s the best- and worst-case scenario for the Raiders this Sunday against the Bengals? Who’s capable of dominating the competition for four quarters?

Khalil Mack: 4 Sacks

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No. 52 Khalil Mack

The Raiders decided to unleash Mack this season as an edge-rusher preying on quarterbacks. He transitioned from linebacker to defensive end with more than just a basic bull rush.

According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, Mack plays with quickness and a move set capable of evading offensive tackles to disrupt the backfield.

The Bengals' Andrew Whitworth graded as the second-best offensive tackle in 2014, per Pro Football Focus. If Mack alternates between the left and the right side, he’ll line up across from Andre Smith Jr., who missed seven games last season.

Smith played exceptionally well in his first three seasons as a starter before tearing his triceps in a subpar 2014 season. Week 1 is a perfect opportunity for Mack to feast on the right tackle who is just regaining his footing after an injury.

A favorable matchup against Smith likely equates to several quarterback takedowns. Mack could tie his sack total from the previous season (four) in one single game.

Mychal Rivera: 100 Receiving Yards and 2 Touchdowns

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No. 81 Mychal Rivera makes a catch in traffic

Raider Nation clamors for a more vertical approach from the offense. Quarterback Derek Carr could opt to sling the ball 20-30 yards down the field, but he can also find passing efficiency in going short to tight end Mychal Rivera.

Bengals' Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict starts the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Projected outside linebackers Emmanuel Lamur and Vincent Rey faltered in coverage, surrendering a combined total of 84 catches for 523 yards in 2014. Each linebacker allows a catch percentage above 70 percent.

Rookie tight end Clive Walford’s arrival pushed Rivera to the back of Raiders fans' minds. The third-year pro could re-emerge as a factor as Walford gets into playing shape after missing significant time during the preseason.

Rivera only dropped five of 63 catchable passes from Carr last season. As a big target with sure hands, he’s capable of helping the offense score touchdowns in the red zone.

Seth Roberts: 100 Receiving Yards in NFL Debut

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No. 10 Seth Roberts

Carr operates in a revamped offense that is equipped to attack the secondary deep down the field. He can leave checkdown city and explore uncharted real estate with wide receiver Seth Roberts in the slot.

Roberts showed flashes in the preseason that elevated him into the slot receiver position. He led the team with 243 receiving yards in exhibition and enters the season with little film for opponents to study.

The Bengals decided to promote Dre Kirkpatrick into a starting role at cornerback over Leon Hall based on their depth chart.

Roberts will likely match up against Hall more than any other cornerback on Sunday. In 2014, Hall played 364 of 518 snaps in coverage from the slot.

The ninth-year cornerback isn’t headed for a downward spiral, but he showed signs of regression last season. He allowed 52 receptions for 685 yards and a catch percentage of 70.3 percent.

As the underestimated member of the trio, Roberts benefits from hiding behind the expectations of wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. If Carr looks for the preseason standout, he could take the Bengals defense by surprise early in the game.

Andy Dalton: 400 Passing Yards

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No. 14 Andy Dalton

This bold prediction doesn’t suggest Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green going wild on Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie.

Cincinnati’s offense is stacked with receivers who can catch the long ball or stretch a short pass play. Running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard averaged approximately eight yards per catch in 2014.

Dalton has three productive receivers as outlets on the perimeter. Mohamed Sanu came into his own alongside Green with career highs in receptions (56), receiving yards (790) and touchdowns (five).

Wide receiver Marvin Jones served as a solid complement to Green before missing the 2014 season with an ankle injury. Jones racked up 10 receiving touchdowns (second to Green with 11) in 2013.

The Bengals could implement five viable receivers on passing downs to spread the Raiders defense. Oakland starts the season with question marks at cornerback and in short coverage at the strong-side linebacker position.

Tight end Tyler Eifert also returns to the starting lineup after sitting out nearly the entire 2014 season. Similar to Jones, he put together a solid production in the passing attack in 2013.

He recorded 39 catches for 445 yards as rookie. Now, he augments an already rich receiving group capable of moving the ball with ease.

Latavius Murray: 150 Rushing Yards

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Latavius Murray with the stiff arm

The Bengals defensive line might as well put on Kansas City Chiefs jerseys. In 2014, running back Latavius Murray broke out against the Chiefs in Week 12 with four carries for 112 yards. He could eclipse that breakout performance against a weak Bengals run defense on Sunday.

The Bengals' Domata Peko ranked as one of the worst run-stopping defensive tackles in the league with a minus-11.5 grade in run support, per PFF. The other defensive tackle, Geno Atkins, poses a bigger threat in the pass rush than run defense.

Cincinnati also signed defensive end Michael Johnson to a four-year, $20 million deal in the offseason as another component to the pass rush. He’s amassed 30.5 sacks in six seasons. The Bengals defensive line presents a threat to Carr but leaves crevices for a quick, decisive running back.

Oakland’s offense could hop aboard the "Tay Train" and ride Murray for a career-high 150 rushing yards against a susceptible Bengals front line.

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted. Bengals' unofficial depth chart provided by Bengals.com. Raiders' unofficial depth chart provided by Raiders.com.