2009 Oakland Raiders NFL Season Predictions

Written June 24, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Oakland Raiders 2009 Predictions The Oakland Raiders finished 2008 at 5-11, thanks to two very impressive wins to finish off the season, but this organization hasn’t even sniffed the playoffs since winning three straight AFC West titles from 2000-2002. The Raiders decided to keep Tom Cable as the head coach of the future after he stepped in for the fired Lane Kiffin just four games into the season. The Raiders have loaded up on draft picks over the last few seasons, but have not been able to turn those picks into a winning football team.

The Raiders had the No.7 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, and decided to go with speed over production, as they took Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey over the highly though of Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree. The Raiders again stunned fans with their 2nd round pick of safety Mike Mitchell, who many thought was a reach at the No.47 pick. The Raiders also added defensive end Matt Shaughnessy in the third round and wide out Louis Murphy in the 4th. Some free agent signings came in fullback Lorenzo Neal, quarterback Jeff Garcia, offensive tackle Khalif Barnes, center Samson Satele, and defensive end Greg Ellis. There is a lot of pressure surrounding this team to start performing, but it looks as though this team is still a year or two away from being a legit threat to win this division.

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The Raiders offense depends a lot on the performance of quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who started to show signs of why the Raiders picked him No.1 overall in 2007. With the addition of Garcia to back up Russell, it at least gives the Raiders someone to go to if Russell really struggles to get it going. The Raiders offense will also benefit from a healthy Darren McFadden, who spent most of his rookie season battling turf toe. The Raiders have a number of options to go along with McFadden out of the backfield, as Justin Fargas and Michael Bush are both back from last year. Fargas led the team with 853 yards on the ground, but had just 1 score, while Bush had an outstanding 177 yard game against the Bucs in the final game of the season. At wide receiver Heyward-Bey has to live up to the potential of being picked so high in the draft, and the team is hoping that they will continue to get solid production out of Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens. Javon Walker was once considered a top receiver in the NFL, but has not lived up to expectations since solid season back in 2004. Walker took a pay cut to stay with the team and is trying to resurrect his career, and if he is able to it will really help out the offense. The offensive line Barnes is expected to take over at left tackle, while Mario Henderson and Cornell Green battle it out for right tackle. Left guard Robert Gallery has turned into a very good option after failing to make it as a tackle. John Wade and Satele will fight for the starting center job, and it looks as though Cooper Carlisle will hold down the spot at right guard. The potential is there for this unit, its just a matter of executing and staying healthy. Bet the Raiders +1000 to win the AFC West at Sportsbook.com.

On the defensive side of things the Raiders needed to improve their run defense, as they finished 31st against the ground game a year ago. The addition of Greg Ellis to hold down one of the end spots, allows there to be quite a battle at the other end spot between Jay Richardson, Derrick Burgess and Trevor Scott. Inside the Raiders need to get more out of tackles Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren and Terdell Sands, though the Raiders did get beat more on the outside with the run. Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison are mainstays at linebacker, as Howard is one of the fastest outside backers in the game, and Morrison is simply a tackling machine. At the other outside spot the Raiders will either go with Ricky Brown or Jon Alston. The secondary for the Raiders could have the best corner combo in the league, if Chris Johnson continues to emerge at left corner. Opposite of Johnson is arguably one of the best corners in the game in Nnamdi Asomugha, who teams just simply refuse to throw the ball on. At safety the Raiders are starting to give up on Michael Huff, as their pick of Mitchell suggest the team is not going to keep waiting around for this guy to live up to his potential that had him picked No.7 overall in 2007. Huff will still get a chance to prove he is worthy, but look out for youngsters Hiram Eugene and Tyvon Branch. If the defense can find away to improve against the run, this unit could really surprise a lot of teams next season, but it remains unclear if they did enough to really improve that part of the game. Bet the Raiders +10000 to win the NFL Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: Tie for 2nd AFC West (6-10) The Raiders continue to surprise me with their offseason moves, and I really feel like this team is stuck at the bottom of the NFL until Al Davis gives it up. The only reason the Raiders even sniff 2nd place in the AFC West this season, is no other team than the Chargers is in any better shape than they are coming into 2009.

For those of you looking to do some NFL betting this upcoming season, be sure to stop back and check out our expert NFL picks and the very latest NFL odds for all the games at Betfirms. Find out who I have as the best team in the NFL in my 2009 NFL predictions article.

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