Oakland Raiders: 2018 Season preview, prediction and more

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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 31: Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders makes the 87 yard catch for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Prediction

It should be no secret by now that the Raiders are beginning to build for their eventual move to Las Vegas. Should the move go as planned in three years, the Raiders may have the time to create a winning culture and team by the time moving day arrives. But lawsuits may force the issue.

The departure of Mack hurts. But the failure of Martavis Bryant takes away a seriously needed speed element from the offense. The losses of T.J. Carrie and Michael Crabtree may have a big impact at the beginning of the season. But this is a ream rebuilding, so it is not supposed to be pretty this season. But it should not be as bad as the Browns last season.

As the season wears on, the onus will be on the offense to score. The defense may not be in position to holds teams under twenty points a game. But then again, they may surprise a lot of people. But if they cannot shut down opponents, the offense will have to do the heavy lifting. Cooper has already alluded to this when talking about the Week 1 matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams.

Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks ruling in Week 1. dark

The Raiders were 6-10 last season. They should be about that this upcoming season. There are games this team can win, there are games this team will look over matched. But this season is about building for future seasons while trying to win now. If that sounds like an oxymoron, it is. The Raiders will look and play like a team rebuilding.

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