5 NFL teams under .500 that are better than their record
By John Buhler
2. Oakland Raiders (7-8)
The Oakland Raiders, like another AFC team in the Jacksonville Jaguars, are very close to relevancy as 2015 draws to a close. The Raiders have a promising franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, the best wideout in the 2014 Draft Class in Amari Cooper, and one of the best defensive players in football in linebacker Khalil Mack.
Mack is only in year two and head coach Jack Del Rio could have the Raiders challenging the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West crown as early as 2016. Though the stadium situation in Oakland/Alameda County remains bleak, the Silver and Black should end their 13-year AFC Playoff drought as soon as next year, regardless of if the Raiders play in Oakland or Los Angeles.
Oakland has drafted well each of the last three years and should do the same in 2016. Strong drafts as well as veteran leadership from the soon to be retired safety Charles Woodson has given hope to a new legion on fans in Raider Nation.
The Raiders will finish in the standings about where they should have at the start of the year: within a game or so of .500. Oakland will have to upset AFC West rival Kansas City in Arrowhead Stadium to get to 8-8. While Kansas City has won 10 straight games, given that this is the last game of Woodson’s Hall of Fame career, why couldn’t the Raiders knock off a huge rival to end their year on a positive note heading into 2016?
Next: 1. St. Louis Rams