Football is back! Oakland Raiders fans are chomping at the bit to see their team hit the field again. They are even more excited to see head coach Jon Gruden on the sideline for the first time since 2001. While predictions for Oakland’s record are all over the place, many so-called “experts” are predicting a losing season as Gruden struggles to readjust to how the game has evolved in his absence. However, the Raiders locker room and the staff is no doubt setting postseason expectations.
Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each team’s 16-game slate will be split into its most difficult (1-8) and easiest games (9-16). For this article, the easiest games on the Raiders 2018 schedule is under the microscope.
Oakland Raiders Easiest Games of 2018 Season
9. Week 4: vs Cleveland Browns
Sure, the Cleveland Browns are getting a lot of love recently. They took quarterback Baker Mayfield number one overall in this season’s draft and traded for former Buffalo Bills signal-caller, Tyrod Taylor. Stud wideout Josh Gordon looks like he is on track to start week one. They also acquired Jarvis Landry in a trade with Miami Dolphins. Finally, they have a stable of running backs in Duke Johnson, Carlos Hyde, and Nick Chubb. While it would be impossible for them to not improve, it will take them some time to earn some real respect. There are still questions on how all these offensive pieces will mesh together and questions on defense. While no NFL game is a given, this one looks like the best shot for Oakland to come out with a win.
10. Week 8: vs Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck is back. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback has missed more than a season of action but is on track to return to the Colts lineup week one. This could be a game full of highlight reel plays, as the two quarterbacks duel it out throughout the game. It may come down to who has the ball last, but the Raiders defense could also come through and shut down Luck. The offensive line has been an issue for Indianapolis, and although they took guard Quenton Nelson in the first round of this year’s draft, he only plays one position on the line. Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin, and rookie Maurice Hurst could prove to be too much to handle. On the Colts defensive side, they haven’t done much to improve and lost their best corner Vontae Davis in free agency. Coming off a bye week, the Raiders should have plenty of time to prepare and come out of this game with a home victory.
11. Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens
This will be the fourth year in a row that these teams meet. In 2015 and 2016, Derek Carr led the Raiders to exciting last second victories. He was out with a back injury for last season’s bout, and Oakland fell 30-17 with backup E.J. Manuel under center. Carr will try to stay undefeated against the Baltimore Ravens, but many wonder which quarterback will be on the field for Baltimore. Joe Flacco has been underwhelming the past few seasons, and many are already calling for the dynamic rookie Lamar Jackson to take the reins. Depending on Flacco’s performance in the first part of the season, there could be a change by the time the meet week 12. The story on the Ravens side of this game will be revenge for Michael Crabtree. Oakland cut him in the offseason in favor of the quieter Jordy Nelson. He will be looking for a big game against the Silver and Black, to try to make them regret cutting them.
12. Week 11: at Arizona Cardinals
Oakland travels to take on the Arizona Cardinals week 11. The Cardinals are in transition right now, as quarterback Carson Palmer retired after last season. Whether it is veteran Sam Bradford or rookie Josh Rosen under center, their quarterback will be learning a new system. Aside from stalwart Larry Fitzgerald, their receiving corps does not inspire much fear. On defense, they let the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu, go but still have perennial Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson. The biggest issue for Oakland will be stopping running back David Johnson, coming back from injury. The Raiders likely try to pound the ball on the ground with Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin to try to keep it out of Johnson’s hands.
13. Week 16: vs Denver Broncos
Oakland plays under the Monday Night Football lights in week 16 against the Denver Broncos. In a division that should prove to be extremely competitive this season, the Broncos are likely the odd men out. After a 5-11 finish, their biggest off-season addition was quarterback Case Keenum. Prior to last year, Keenum was a career backup but cashed in on an excellent season with the Minnesota Vikings. Their offensive line still has a lot of issues, which could hinder Keenum’s ability to perform. They did draft Bradley Chubb to pair with Von Miller, so this game could see a lot of sacks on both sides. Still, Denver might not have anything to play for by week 16, and if the Raiders are still fighting for a postseason spot, this is a game they should win at home.
14. Week 3: at Miami Dolphins
In week three, the Raiders travel cross country to Miami. Last season the two teams went head-to-head week nine on Sunday Night Football. Oakland came out in front 27-24 behind Lynch’s two touchdowns and Carr’s 300-yard game. The Miami Dolphins had Jay Cutler starting at quarterback, who they signed out of retirement after Ryan Tannehill went down before the season started. Cutler looked washed up for most of the year, but Oakland’s dismal secondary made him look like a Pro Bowler. He finished with over 300 yards and three touchdowns. This season, Tannehill should be back under center, but they also sent number one wideout Landry to the Browns. With an improved secondary for Oakland, and less offensive weapons for the Dolphins, this game should not be as close as it was last year.
15. Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
The story behind Oakland’s week 15 bout will be defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s return to his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Gruden wanted a hard-nosed, aggressive coordinator to run his defense, and Guenther was the perfect guy for the job. Sometimes the Bengals are a bit undisciplined, but there is no denying that they play hard and swarm the ball. Speaking of which, the Bengals defense imposed its will on the Raider offense last time they played each other week one of 2015. Carr had a horrible game, completing just 7 of 12 passes for 61 yards. It was Amari Cooper’s first ever NFL game. Corner Adam Jones welcomed Cooper to the league by ripping off his helmet and smashing his head into it. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals defense fares this time around with a new coordinator and Carr and Cooper will want to have a much better showing than last time.
16. Week 10: vs Los Angeles Chargers
The final entry on the list of “easiest” games for Oakland in 2018 will be anything but easy. The Los Angeles Chargers look like the team to beat in the AFC West this season. If the Raiders want to even have a chance to reach the playoffs this year, they will not be able to do so if they get swept Los Angeles like they did last season. Obviously, their best chance of victory against them will come the second time they play they play them when they are at Oakland Coliseum. It is also later in the season when the team should be thoroughly entrenched in their new system and running on all cylinders. Carr will have to be at his best, escaping the pressure of Joey Bosa, while avoiding ball-hawking cornerback Casey Hayward. The Chargers have skill all over their defense, but their weakest spot is linebacker. They’ll want to use tight end Jared Cook to attack the middle of the field, and pound the rock right up the gut. That will give them the best shot at victory, and hopefully keep the postseason in their sights.
Be sure to check out the eight toughest games on the Oakland Raiders 2018 schedule.
