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2016 Oakland Raiders Season Win Total Prediction

2016 Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total Prediction

Written by on July 21, 2016

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In my opinion there are two rising powers in the AFC: the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders, who haven’t made the playoffs since losing the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay and former coach Jon Gruden following the 2002 season. But this Raiders team is potentially poised to win the AFC West for the first time since then. Las Vegas has a wins total of 8.5 in online NFL betting.

Here’s a Look at the 2016 Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total Prediction

Total Win/Loss Odds Overview

Oakland’s 7-9 record last year was a four-game improvement from 2014 and the team’s best mark since 2011. A Week 11 game against two-win Detroit seemed like what the Raiders needed to end their two-game skid at the time and stay in playoff contention. But QB Derek Carr slipped into one of his second-half slumps and Oakland left the Motor City with a loss. That ended any playoff hopes. As for the 2016 schedule, Las Vegas has stiff test to open the season, traveling to New Orleans and playing in the din of the Superdome before the schedule evens in the middle. A mettle-testing end to the schedule, including the regular-season finale at the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos, will portend whether the Raiders advance to the playoffs.

Why Betting On The Over?

The best defensive player in the NFL not named J.J. Watt plays for Las Vegas. Khalil Mack made history when he was named first-team All-Pro at two positions, outside linebacker and defensive end, after nearly quadrupling his sack total from 4.0 as a rookie to 15.0 last season. Many observers foresee Mack taking another massive leap forward, especially with Bruce Irvin now playing opposite him. Carr looks like a future Pro Bowler. Last year, he benefited from the new system instituted when Bill Musgrave was hired as offensive coordinator. And with Musgrave back, Carr could improve on last season’s numbers (3,987 passing yards, 32 TDs, 91.1 QB rating). “I think it helps that he doesn’t have to learn a new language again,” Musgrave said. “Two years in the league, two different systems, now this year he can feel like he has a good grasp of it and start putting his own spin on things and can put his own signature on the system.” Carr has one of the NFL's top young receivers in Amari Cooper. The Raiders’ AC/DC Connection seemed to have a sixth sense regarding each other and their tendencies, as their chemistry was on full display, Carr hitting Cooper down the left sideline on several deep balls as well as underneath on slants while leading him every time. It translated into 72 receptions on 130 targets for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games last season for Cooper.

Why Betting On The Under?

If only Oakland had a franchise running back, this offense would be truly scary. Latavius Murray enjoyed a solid 2015 season – his first as a starter – starting all 16 games for the Silver and Black, rushing for 1,066 yards, six touchdowns, and earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl in the process. But he was asked to carry the burden of nearly the entire running game last season as another complementary back never materialized. After Murray’s 1,066 yards, the second-leading rusher on the team was Carr with 138 rushing yards. If the Raiders want to take the next step in 2016 and challenge for the division, that can’t be the case, so there will be a premium put on finding another running back who can consistently produce in conjunction with Murray. Coach Jack Del Rio could elect to use fifth-round pick DeAndre Washington as a change-of- pace back.

My Betting Prediction

This is my dark-horse AFC West champion. Go over the wins in online NFL betting.
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