Oakland Raiders Predictions 2008
August 12, 2008
If football games were won on paper the AFC West 2008 Oakland Raiders should be in pretty good shape with a young roster bubbling with talent. Unfortunately for 32-year old head coach Lane Kiffin games are won on the field and not on a notepad. After egomaniacal Oakland owner Al Davis spent $220 million on player personnel this season it is obvious to Kiffin that he must win now to keep his job. 2008 Oakland Raiders NFL predictions have the Raiders at 45-1 odds to win the 2009 Superbowl.
Last year’s #1 overall pick QB Jamarcus Russell will be counted on to lead the Raiders offense in his second season. Russell’s progress was stunted by a holdout but he is now good to go with some game time under his belt. Russell has the strongest arm in the NFL but he still needs too work on his touch and accuracy. Russell has had some weight issues in the off-season also and he is not exactly a film junkie. Nonetheless Jemarcus Russell has enough upside to become an upper-tier NFL QB.
The running game is loaded with speed, power and talent with a trio of gifted runners. #4 overall pick RB Darren McFadden has speed to burn (4.33 40-time) and some power in his 6’1″ 215 Lb. frame. #2 back Justin Fargas is another burner (4.35 40-time) with a physical element to his game. Fargas could emerge as a top-10 NFL RB. #3 RB Michael Bush is a 250 Lb. bulldozer with 4.50 40-speed and power in short yardage situations. The Raiders will be a running team that will use the their big run-blocking run to their advantage.
The big free-agent signee brought in to make an impact was WR Javon Walker. Walker was beat up in a nightclub shortly after signing a $30 million dollar deal and will not be 100% for at least half the season. Walker is a playmaker when healthy and he should be an upgrade. #2 WR Ronald Curry is a dependable target along with #3 Drew Carter who has good size 6’3″ 200 and hands. The Raiders offensive line is an average group that can run block but struggles in pass-protection.
The Raiders 4-3 defense is plain jane running mostly man coverage with a squad full of young talent. Oakland has a physical front four that is long on talent but is an underachieving unit overall. DT Tommy Kelly is a nice inside presence against the run. DE Derrick Burgess is still a serious pass-rusher off the edge and this year will have a suitable complement in DE Kalimba Edwards.
Oakland’s linebacking crew is a young star studded group overflowing with ability. MLB Kirk Morrison is a ballhawk with 4.45 speed and the ability to change games. OLB Thomas Howard used his 4.42 speed to become a tackling machine, playing at an All-Pro level. OLB Robert Thomas is an ordinary player that is replaceable. The 2008 Oakland Raiders NFL betting OVER\UNDER is at 6 WINS with the OVER at -120.
Oakland signed two-time Pro-Bowl CB DeAngelo Hall to give the Raiders a potent 1-2 punch with CB Nnamdi Asomugha. The defensive backfield is loaded with talent with 3 of the 4 starters being former #1 picks. Safety Michael Huff could be a star player.
The special teams have a pair of powerful legs in K Sebastian Janikowski and P Shane Lechler. Janikowski had bouts of inconsistency but his ability to hit from 60+ yards will always make him a dangerous weapon. The coverage and return units leave something to be desired but DeAngelo Hall could be dangerous on punts.
My NFL predictions for the 2008 Oakland Raiders should be an improvement on last season’s 4-12 mark. JeMarcus Russell has as good of tools as anyone in the NFL and the running attack is one of the best. The cornerbacks are excellent and they could possibly go to 8-8 in the weak AFC West. The Oakland Raiders NFL betting odds to win the NFC West are at +650.
2007 Oakland Raiders NFL Betting Record: 6-10 ATS
2008 Oakland Raiders NFL Predictions Power Ratings
Coaching: 5
Quarterback: 6
Running Backs: 9
Offensive Line: 6
Wideouts: 5
Defensive Line: 7
Linebackers: 8
Secondary: 8
Special Teams: 7
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