Fansided

Power rankings and record predictions

By Matt Verderame

Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the Baltimore Ravens at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the Baltimore Ravens at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 27: Khalil Mack
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 27: Khalil Mack /

12. Oakland Raiders

No team is getting more love around the league than the Raiders, who some believe could make a serious run at the Super Bowl.

Oakland is coming into the 2016 season loaded for bear, with general manager Reggie McKenzie having gone on a spending spree this spring. The Raiders were able to add guard Kelechi Osemele, corner Sean Smith, safety Reggie Nelson, and outside linebacker Bruce Irvin into the mix, hoping to shore up what was a dismal pass defense.

The Raiders should be explosive offensively with quarterback Derek Carr coming into his third year. Carr threw for 3,987 yards and 32 touchdowns last season and is likely to see more production out of second-year sensation Amari Cooper on the outside. Add in Michael Crabtree and running back Latavius Murray, and Oakland has weapons galore behind a top-notch offensive line.

So why aren’t the Raiders higher? Depth and run defense. Oakland still has issues up the gut defensively and depth is non-existent in some areas. Should the Raiders be fallen by a rash of injuries, they will be hard-pressed to overcome like some of the more seasoned units in the NFL.

The Raiders are going to be right on the brink of a playoff berth this season. It will be fun watching them try to break through.

Record prediction: 9-7

Next: No. 11 New York Jets