Oakland Raiders Top 5 Reasons Why They Have a Shot at Winning the AFC West

For the past decade, the Raider Nation has been wanting a winning product on the field. After last year's 8-8 record and sweeping the division, Raider fans have had a lot to cheer about. After the lockout was settled, we watched as our best defensive player, Nnamdi Asomugha, sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and our Tight End, Zach Miller, leave to be with the Seattle Seahawks. The loss of these players left the fans in Oakland both dazed and confused. Everyone started wondering how are they going to recover from these losses and who are they going to bring in to fill these huge voids in the depth chart. Oakland went and grabbed the best available Tight End, Kevin Boss, who brings a solid overall game and Super-Bowl experience. They also resigned Defensive Tackle Richard Seymour, Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, and Cornerback Stanford Routt which gives them a solid player at each level in the defense. Here are my top 5 reasons why I believe the Oakland Raiders could win the AFC West division.

#5: Oakland Has a Great Group of Receivers

The Oakland Raiders have a solid group of Wide Receivers. Led by Louis Murphy and Jacoby Ford, the Raiders welcome in young stud, Denarius Moore, from the University of Tennessee.As a Volunteer, Moore totaled  2,004 receiving yards and caught 18 touchdown passes. In his senior year, Moore had 47 receptions for 981 yards and 9 touchdowns in 13 games. Moore has also been lighting it up at Oakland's Training Camp where he has been impressing all of the coaches and Quarterback Jason Campbell. Oakland is also hoping first-round 2009 pick, Darrius Heyward-Bey, can finally have a break out year. Ford and Murphy have been the two consistent receivers for Oakland after the past year. Also, Oakland will be getting back a healthy Chaz Schilens which will add to their depth at the Wide Receiver position. If Oakland can get Heyward-Bey going along with Schilens, Ford, Murphy and rookie Denarius Moore, I can see Oakland putting up some big numbers through the air during the 2011-2012 year.

#4:Experience at the QB Position

Jason Campbell has finally found a home here in Oakland. After getting traded at the beginning of the 2010 season from the Washington Redskins, Campbell competed for the starting job in Oakland. Campbell got off to a slow start and was eventually replaced by Bruce Gradkowski. Jason Campbell eventually replaced Gradkowski due to an injury and he looked extremely impressive for the rest of the season. Campbell finished the season with 13 touchdown passes and 8 interceptions and he threw for 2,387 yards while he led the raiders to a 6-0 record in the Division. Oakland also added some depth in the QB position with the addition of Trent Edwards from the Buffalo Bills. Edwards will battle former Baltimore QB Kyle Boller for the 2nd string job behind Campbell. We should be very excited to see this veteran QB stable throwing to a young group of electric receivers. With Head Coach Hue Jackson still calling the plays, I would look for Campbell to have a great year as the full time starter for Oakland.

#3: The Running Game

Run DMC should have a big year this upcoming season.

Darren McFadden rushed last year for 1,157 yards on 223 attempts last season, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt and totaling seven rushing touchdowns. Not only did he excel in the run game, he made a statement in the receiving game. McFadden had 47 receptions for 507 total reception yards, averaging 10.8 yards per reception while snaring three touchdown passes to show his versatility.

McFadden is backed up by Michael Bush, who is a great compliment and has a very powerful running style. Bush gained 655 yards on the ground on 158 attempts and totaled eight rushing touchdowns. A breakout player in the backfield could be rookie running back Taiwan Jones, who has great speed and acceleration. He could be used on third down passing situations and special teams. The Oakland running game looks to be one of the best in the NFL, and this could be one of the top reasons why the Raiders win the AFC West.

#2: Defense! Defense! Defense!

"Defense Wins Championships" is one of my favorite sayings in sports. Oakland added many additions to this defense to make it solid from top to bottom. The Defensive line is led by veterans Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly who helped combine for a total of 108 total tackles and 12.5 sacks. Our linebackers are led by young Rolando McClain who had 59 solo tackles, one interception and 85 total tackles. He has help from Kamerion Wimbley who just signed a huge deal worth $48 million for five years. Our cornerbacks feature veteran Stanford Routt who is taking over for Nnamdi Asomugha and speedy Chris Johnson. In the secondary, we also have  Michael Huff and Tyvone Branch who combined to have 4 interceptions last year.  In the 2011 Draft, Oakland picked up corners Demarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa which add speed and youth to the secondary. The biggest void is replacing Asomugha, but if Routt and Johnson can improve, I see the Oakland defense as one of the best in the league. The Raiders have always played a tough 4-3 scheme, so look to have big plays up the middle and tight coverage on the outside. This can be an exciting year for the Raiders!

#1: The Coaching Staff

It was extremely tough to see Al Davis give Tom Cable the boot out of Oakland but I know everyone was happy that we kept Hue Jackson on staff and made him the Head Coach. He turned our offense around and we finally established a consistent running game last year. Now that he is the Head Coach, I look for the offense to be even more explosive and with the weapons they added in both the off-season and the draft, the sky is the limit for this team. Another coaching addition that I think can make a positive impact is the signing of Rod Woodson to help the secondary. Woodson is one of the greatest safeties to ever put on the Silver and Black Uniform. I believe the experience and talent that Woodson brings as a coach can improve that secondary and make up for the loss of Asomugha. I am excited for Raider football this season and I know with the talent and coaches on this team, they can win the AFC West.