Why the Oakland Raiders Will Make the Playoffs in 2011

As usual, the Oakland Raiders are being written off as AFC West contenders. The Raiders had their first non-losing season since 2002, going 8-8 in 2010. I believe the Raiders will not only improve in 2011, but will have what it takes to make the playoffs for the first time since their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Here's why. 

The Running Game

The Raiders had the second-best rushing attack in 2010. Darren McFadden led the way with 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games. Michael Bush complements McFadden well with his rough, downhill style of running.

Bush, thought to maybe be on his way out of Oakland, was officially labeled a restricted free agent. He signed his tender and is in camp.

With these two workhorses in the backfield for Oakland, the Raiders will again have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL.

Stability for Jason Campbell

For the first time in his NFL career, Jason Campbell will be in the same system for more than a year. Hue Jackson is back and has full confidence in Jason.

Campbell finished 2010 strong and really gained control of the offense toward the end of the season. He will also benefit from having his former offensive coordinator from the Washington Redskins, Al Saunders. Saunders has taken over the same position in Oakland.

Quarterbacks need stability if they are going to succeed in the NFL. Jason Campbell finally has some of that. 

Medley of receiving options for Campbell.

The Raiders have been a weak passing team in previous years. That is starting to change. The Raiders don't have a single superstar at WR, but they have many outlets for Campbell to pass the ball to.

Jacoby Ford, Chaz Schilenz, Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey are all speedsters. They can give secondaries fits. Expect Ford to continue where he left off from his stellar rookie season. Raider Nation is expecting big things from Jacoby and he's going to deliver. He's a gamer.

Zach Miller signed with Seattle, hurting the passing game. He was Oakland's leading receiver in 2010. However, the Raiders worked quickly to bring in TE Kevin Boss from the Giants. He is one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the NFL and has improved his blocking since he came into the league. At 6'6”, he also provides Campbell with a large target in the red zone.

Darren McFadden and Marcel Reece are great at catching balls out of the backfield. McFadden, who had 47 receptions in 2010, just needs a little bit of space. Once he has it, no one is catching him. Reece is a converted WR who now plays fullback. He had the best season of his career in 2010. He had 25 receptions including three receiving touchdowns, averaging 13.3 yards per catch. 

The 2010 Draft Class

The 2010 Raiders draft class is one of the best in recent memory. McClain, Veldheer, Houston and Ford all had tremendous success in their rookie seasons. They were huge reasons why the Raiders broke their streak of losing seasons in 2010. With a full season under their belts, expect these guys to improve even more in 2011.

What about losing Nnamdi?

Obviously, it can never help your team when you lose your best player. Nnamdi Asomugha is arguably the best corner in the league and shut down his entire side of the field consistently. However, all isn't lost with his departure. Stanford Routt is ready to step up as the No. 1 corner.

The Raiders got a taste of what life without Asomugha could be like during last season. He missed two games due to injury. The Raiders went 1-1. The team didn't collapse by any means.

Also, Oakland retained Michael Huff and Tyvon Branch, their two starting safeties from 2010. The secondary is almost completely intact from a year ago. 

There Is a Different Feeling in Oakland

The Raiders finished 8-8 last season.

They went 6-0 against their AFC West rivals. For the first time in almost a decade, there is belief in Oakland. Richard Seymour has helped change the attitude on this Raiders club. They expect to win. Hue Jackson is bringing back the tough and malicious attitude that the Raiders had in the past.

All of this will lead to winning games. All of this, will lead the Raiders to the playoffs in 2011.