Fansided

5 reasons Raiders can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 16: Rodney Hudson #61 and Marcell Ateman #88 of the Oakland Raiders take the field for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 16: Rodney Hudson #61 and Marcell Ateman #88 of the Oakland Raiders take the field for their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Running back Josh Jacobs poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Oakland Raiders with pick 24 on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Running back Josh Jacobs poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Oakland Raiders with pick 24 on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

4. Revival of the running game

Defensive presence Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper, first-round selections by the Oakland Raiders in 2014 and ‘15, are now members of the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. For various reasons, the Silver and Black felt that the team would benefit from dealing these Pro Bowl players away and use the compensation to rebuild a franchise that has enjoyed one winning season and playoff appearance since 2003.

In April, the Raiders used the 24th overall selection (one obtained from the Bears) to select University of Alabama running back Josh Jacobs. It was a choice that was a head-scratcher for numerous evaluators of the three-say process. But it could wind up making a lot of sense for an offense that needs to find a consistent ground attack once again.

In each of the past two seasons, this club ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing yards per game. The Raiders actually gained more yards on the ground in 2018 than they did the previous year. But both showings are a far cry from the team’s playoff campaign of ’16, when the club ran for 120.1 yards per contest. That balance Oakland attack produced 46 offensive touchdowns. That number decreased to 36 the following season and only 28 offensive TDs in 2018.

Be it a combination of Jacobs, veteran Doug Martin (re-signed after free-agent pickup Isaiah Crowell went down with an Achilles injury) as well as Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, Oakland needs a bigger contribution from the ground attack for any number of reasons.

Next: No. 3

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