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NFL power rankings: Training camp edition

By Brad Weiss

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 24: Derek Carr #4 and the Oakland Raiders runs onton the field prior to playing the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL football game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 24: Derek Carr #4 and the Oakland Raiders runs onton the field prior to playing the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL football game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
5

Oakland Raiders

, AFC West

I know, I am an Oakland Raiders fan, but that is not why I have them ranked at No. 5 in our initial power rankings. The fact is, the Raiders are going to be a team to beat this season, and will  have an easier schedule than the rival Kansas City Chiefs do. However, the Chiefs have proven that they can beat the Raiders on nearly every occasion, so that is going to be the team’s biggest hurdle if they want to be the top dog in the AFC West.

Heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the Raiders were flying high. They had won 11 of their first 14 games, and appeared ready to  take home their first AFC West title since the 2002 season. That would not be the case, as star quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg, and the team would lose in Week 17, and in the Wildcard Round.

The 2017 season is one of high hopes for the team, who tried to get better in some weak spots this offseason. They were able to bring running back Marshawn Lynch out of retirement, giving them a true star at the position. In addition, they added tight end Jared Cook to the fold, giving Carr more weapons than just Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to throw to.

As it is for nearly every season, it will be the defense that makes or breaks the 2017 Raiders. Mario Edwards Jr. and Khalil Mack are nice bookends on the defensive line, and Bruce Irvin leads a decent linebacking group. The secondary will have the most question marks, as Sean Smith did not play well in his first season in Silver and Black in 2016, and the unit has been a liability for the last decade. First round pick Gareon Conley could prove huge if he is as good as advertised.

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