Oakland Raiders: 10 Reasons the Oakland Raiders Are Playoff Bound in 2011

The Oakland Raiders finished 8-8 in 2010 and everyone in the organization feels that they are ready to make the playoffs in 2011.

The Raiders went undefeated in their division last season and that is a major key in making the playoffs. If you can win games within your division then you have a chance to make the playoffs. Unfortunately the Raiders had issues beating teams outside of their division.

In 2011 the AFC West will face the AFC East and the NFC North. Nobody in the division will have an easy road to the playoffs.

It appears that the Raiders are ready to head to the playoffs in 2011. Here are ten reasons why I think the Raiders are playoff bound.

Division Games

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: The Oakland Raiders offense lines up against the defense of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

The Raiders are more than capable of having another winning record in the AFC West in 2011. They're built to beat their division rivals.

It's hard to argue that going 6-0 in the division was a fluke for Oakland.  If the Raiders finish with a winning record in the AFC West look for them to increase their chances of making the playoffs.

Hue Jackson

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ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: Hue Jackson looks on after he was introduced as the new head coach of the Oakland Raiders on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired Tom C

Tom Cable was a players' coach and the players liked him. Unfortunately, that got the Raiders nowhere. Hue Jackson is a bright mind and a true leader.

The coaching change will prove to be one of the best moves the Raiders made this offseason. Look for the Raiders to take on Hue Jackson's image. He'll say all the right things like Cable did, but more importantly he'll have his team doing the right things on the field.

Solid Assistant Coaches

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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Rod Woodson poses with his bust at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2009 enshrinement ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Mike Waufle and Hue Jackson showed the value of having great assistant coaches. Waufle turned the Raiders' defensive line into a beast, and we all know what Jackson did to the offense.

This year the Raiders have added guys like Rod Woodson, Steve Wisniewski, Greg Biekert, Chuck Bresnahan and Bob Wylie that were brought in to improve each aspect of the Raiders team.

This staff should be one of the strongest staffs the Raiders have had in years and should help their playoff chances in 2011.

Offensive Line Scheme Change

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 16: The Raiders offensive line and the Broncos defensive line square off as the Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 23-20 in overtime during week two NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 16, 2007 in Denver, Col

With Tom Cable gone, that could mean that the Raiders' Zone Blocking scheme will no longer be the primary scheme for their offensive live.

Hue Jackson likes the power scheme used in Baltimore and it makes more sense with the type of offense the Raiders want to run. Al Davis mentioned in his most recent press conference that Jackson was limited in his play calling.

It lead me to believe that he was talking about the blocking scheme or the way Cable liked the offense. This change should help the offense evolve the way Jackson wants it.

Jason Campbell

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Jason Campbell is entering his second season as an Oakland Raider and perhaps more importantly, the second year under the same offensive scheme.

Campbell feels like he has the city of Oakland and the Owner on his side which will boost his confidence. He had this to say in an interview with the Washington Post.

"It feels good just to see Mr. Davis go on TV and express how he feels about me as a quarterback," Campbell told the Post. "Just to have him in your corner, to have an owner in your corner, is just a great feeling. And to have guys embrace you and make you feel welcome...and just the season we had.

"You know, Oakland has been through some rough times. And for us to go out this year and to become a team that's getting that respect again, a team that has young players with a bright future, it's an exciting time. It's an exciting time in my life, career-wise and off the field."

He'll be a big reason the Raiders make a playoff run in 2011.

Darren McFadden

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball during their game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Darren McFadden had his coming out party in 2010, and he looks like he'll be a force in 2011. He changed the way he took care of his body in the offseason and that paid off for him and the Raiders.

McFadden looked more like the running back from Arkansas last season. Look for Jackson to find ways to get him the ball more. Expect McFadden to have another big season and be in the running for MVP in 2011.

Run DMC will be one of the biggest reasons the Raiders will make a playoff run next season.

Raiders' Receivers Breakout Season

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Jacoby Ford #12 of the Oakland Raiders runs down field in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Look for the Raiders receivers to have a breakout year in 2011. Guys like Louis Murphy, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Jacoby Ford and Chaz Schilens will make Oakland's receiving corps one of the most explosive in the league.

Ford looks like he could be the playmaker of the unit. Coach Jackson has already said he will find more ways to get Ford the ball. Murphy has been the most reliable receiver out of the whole unit making big plays when they need them most.

Heyward-Bey and Schilens will be the keys for this unit's success. Heyward-Bey must validate his first round selection and Schilens must stay healthy. If these two players show more production this year, the Raiders will have an easier time making the playoffs.

Defensive Line

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos hands off the ball before being hit by Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Im

The Raiders' defensive line was one of the most dominant in the league last year. They were among the league leaders in sacks as a unit.

The line is led by veterans Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly in the middle and they are surrounded by youth. Lamarr Houston, Matt Shaughnessy, Desmond Bryant, Trevor Scott and the rest of the unit will make it hard for the opposing QB's and running backs.

This defensive line, which I have named, "The Black Hole" will be a major reason for the Oakland Raiders' success in 2011.

Secondary Scheme

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Rashad Jennings #23 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rushes against Stanford Routt #26 of the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

If I were a betting man, I would bet that Nnamdi Asomugha and Michael Huff will not be Oakland Raiders in 2011.

Not only will the secondary look a little different, but their scheme could look different as well. When Rod Woodson was hired he mentioned that the Raiders were going to try different looks and disguise more coverages.

If that is true this could be a great move by the Raiders. Their current scheme does ok in the pass game, but that was with Asomugha on the team. Their coverage scheme is one of the reasons the Raiders struggle in the run game.

If they disguise more coverages and mix it up a bit, the Raiders' defense could cause a lot more turnovers and that will lead them to the playoffs.

A Commitment to Excellence

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual Meetings at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite a NFL owners imposed lockout in effect since Ma

Last year the Raiders didn't have a losing record for the first time since 2002. That gave the Raiders a taste of success, as they were in the playoff hunt late in the season.

The attitude in the locker room should be much better and the hunger to win should be much greater. This team believes they are ready to take the next step and after going 8-8 last season the next step is a playoff appearance.

Look for the Raiders to make the playoffs in 2011.

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