2016 was the season Oakland Raiders fans have been waiting for since the demoralizing blow out Super Bowl loss following the 2002 postseason. 12 wins (so far) and one more will secure an AFC West title and a first round bye. They’re on the verge of setting several franchise records on offense and lead the league in pro bowl invitees. Prior to his injury, Derek Carr was a legitimate MVP candidate, and all-world monster Khalil Mack seems to become more dominant every week. While 2016 will likely be marred with a better sweet early exit in the playoffs, Matt McGloin (very) likely isn’t going to beat the Steelers much less the Patriots in January. But that’s okay, only one team every season ends as champions and Raider fans should take 2016-17 for what it is. It was a great season that serves as a stepping stone for something even greater, an important step in terms of why the Raiders will win the Super Bowl in 2018.
Why the Oakland Raiders Will Win the Super Bowl in 2018
Derek Carr will be Back, and Probably Better than Ever
Derek Carr’s injury absolutely sucks. It’s terrible and something you never want to see happen to not only a great player but also a great person and leader. Carr is beloved by all of his teammates and the true leader of this team. Every year, Carr has improved and 2016 was no different. He cut down on his mistakes, tossing only six interceptions against 28 touchdowns and limiting his sacks, which is due in large part to his fantastic offensive line. While several quarterbacks put up better numbers, Carr led an offense that ranked third in scoring, sixth in total yards, ninth in passing and fifth in rushing. While the numbers are good, this offense at times still had much room to improve and it only should barring any wonky injuries.
Carr’s broken fibula ended this season but it was a clean break and will have no impact on any future seasons. Carr will be back in action with plenty of time to spare before OTAs. He’s a true competitor and this situation is so frustrating to him because he feels he lets his team down. Just watching Carr play this year, you can tell how competitive he is by his body language. He nearly single handedly changed the culture in Oakland. Carr’s injury is a setback yes, but the future MVP will be back, and probably better than ever.
Reggie McKenzie
Landing the right quarterback is the most important thing a franchise can do. Without a quarterback, teams are doomed to mediocrity at best. Credit McKenzie for finding the Raiders’ franchise signal caller and much more. In the 2014 draft, McKenzie not only found a franchise savior but also, arguably, the best edge defender in the NFL in Mack, and a third round steal in right guard Gabe Jackson who’s emerged into a very good starter on a monstrous offensive line. To this point, the only misstep for McKenzie has been DJ Hayden. McKenzie and the scouting staff has been absolutely phenomenal since then on hitting on their early round picks as well as finding late round steals and bargain bin un-drafted free agents that provide so much value along with their talent.
However, excelling in the draft is only part of the general manager’s job. McKenzie needed to play in free agency and play it right. Year after year he finds the right guys for the right price. He pays the top players that need to be paid and finds the diamonds in the rough for cheap that in return reward McKenzie’s faith, such as Michael Crabtree. All this is just as important as McKenzie’s ability to structure contracts nearly perfectly that allow the team breathing room and the ability to build complete rosters. It’s uncanny and should worry the rest of the NFL that the Raiders will be able to keep Derek Carr and Khalil Mack on the same team for years to come. The Raiders will be playing for a title sooner rather than later because of McKenzie.
Captain Jack Del Rio
The Raiders may have missed out on the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes in 2015, but it looks thus far that everything has worked out for the best. A bay area native, Jack Del Rio has proved to be the perfect fit for this young Raiders team. Say what you want about his defensive schemes (they’re easy to learn and easier to pick apart) but you cannot deny that he has infused this team with confidence and competitiveness that you absolutely need to have in today’s NFL. All year long he has pushed the right buttons to get optimal results. Going for the win on a two-point conversion to start the season in a shoot out against a sneakily good New Orleans squad, going for it o a plethora of fourth downs to either steal a game or put it away.
What many fans won’t notice, however, is Del Rio’s clock management has been amongst the best in the league. The Raiders are near the top in the league in points scored in the last two minutes of either half and watching him finesse the clock on a two minute drill against the Chiefs in the first half in week 13 to score with less than 20 seconds was incredible. That skill wins games and it’s a skill many won’t ever notice.
So yes, the Raiders 2016-17 season will likely end in disappointment. But 2018 can and should end with the Lombardi Trophy returning to Oakland, or arriving in Las Vegas (for the sake of Raider fans everywhere and NFL, hopefully not the latter.) The team is young and full of talent and helmed by an adequate coach who knows hot to get the best results from this team. If anything, he could find a way to cut down on the insane amount of penalties this team has committed. More importantly the Raiders have one of the top general managers in Football and a very clutch, competitive and dynamic quarterback in Derek Carr whose best friend and draft partner just so happens to be perhaps the most dominant defender in the league in Khalil Mack. Add all those components up and you get a super bowl team. So knock on wood Raider fans but more importantly enjoy this upcoming ride, You deserve it.
