Oakland Raiders lead 4 big surprises in the AFC West

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 4: Running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Oakland Raiders watches as a punt lands out of bounds at the 15 yard line late in the second quarter on December 4, 2016 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 38-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 07: Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden walks out to the field ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on October 7, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

1. The Raiders finish a strong 8-8

The Oakland Raiders will do better than turn the corner in 2019 — and they will do so in a significant way. The catalyst for such a turnaround is the gamble on trades that sent Khalil Mack to Chicago and Amari Cooper to the Cowboys that led to high-end draft picks in 2019. Additionally, they are rolling the dice on players like Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict and Richie Incognito

Those moves, heavily criticized by the vast network of NFL talking heads, will serve as the springboard to a better record than 4-12. Gruden, the trigger-man behind such moves, looks to have his Raiders in line for an upward trajectory in the AFC West.

The one player who will benefit the most is Derek Carr, who looked to be on his way out numerous times. Oakland, who had the high draft picks to make a move at his position did not, thus providing Carr a significant opportunity in 2019.

Don’t look for the Raiders to win the division this season. On paper, they simply don’t have the talent to go head-to-head with either the Chargers or the Chiefs.

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They will be better than the Broncos, as most NFL teams will be. For fans in Oakland, it’ll be a nice parting gift as the Silver and Black head to Las Vegas for the 2020 season.

Oakland Raiders Predicted Record: 8-8

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