Just Win, Baby
Will the Raiders defy the odds in 2019?
In the words of Al Davis, “Just Win, Baby.”
With an unexpected return to Oakland for one last ride in 2019, the Oakland Raiders are looking to have a send off for the ages but people already seem to be counting them out before the first game.
Starting from the Oakland Señors, to the Oakland Raiders, then Los Angeles Raiders, back to Oakland and soon to be Las Vegas, you could say the Raiders have never really figured it out.
Hiring a head coach who has not been in the National Football League (NFL) in over a decade to a 10-year deal seems to be the first area of concern for the ones who don’t believe in them. Coming off a season where they traded, arguably, the best defensive player in the NFL, Kahlil Mack, and their number one wide receiver in Amari Cooper, the Raiders continue to not surprise anyone with their organizational decisions.
The Raiders have been receiving mixed reviews from analysts as the year approaches. With a tolling travel schedule, one of their home games in another country, and a rebuild in progress, the idea of being championship contenders seems to be far from obtainable to some.
Many people don’t believe in the Raiders in the up and coming season but they might be ready to defy the odds and have the season very few are expecting.
The Raiders will have a winning season for these reasons:
1.With the fourth, 24, and 27 pick in this years NFL draft and four in the top 50, the Raiders are looking to acquire key pieces in their quest to “Just Win, Baby.” The last three franchises who held this many spots early went on to win at least five more games the next season.
2. The Raiders added top wide receiver Antonio Brown this off-season to replace their former top ten pick of Amari Cooper. Lining up on the other side of the field is former Los Angeles Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams who averaged over 15 yards a catch last season and should see no decline in Gruden’s offensive scheme.
3. They are back in Oakland for one more year and it would be a shame if they string together a season synonymous to last years. The Raiders are looking to redeem themselves from their previous “last year” in Oakland and surely will not let the fans down this time around.
4. The Raiders are only two years removed from being playoff contenders in which their current quarterback, Derek Carr, was top three in MVP race. After a down year they are looking to get back to their winning ways and reach the postseason.
It is not a Raiders season if there is not a little dysfunction. The Oakland Raiders will make their last year in Oakland a season to remember.
