Raiders quarterback Derek Carr's broken fibula is healing well, and should not impede his preparation for next season. The Raiders plan to add talent to their roster, especially on defense, and create a team created for a Super Bowl run.
They fell short in 2016, with an opening-round playoff exit at Houston due in large part of Carr's injury. If the Raiders can stay healthy, a prolonged playoff run is possible.
Sports books agree.
The Silver and Black have 16-to-1 odds of winning the Super Bowl next year, tied for sixth in the NFL with the Broncos, Vikings and Seahawks. That number comes courtesy of bovada.com.
New England's epic comeback and all-world quarterback Tom Brady makes them the presumptive favorite at 5-to-1, with Dallas and Green Bay next in line. Only five teams are favored over the Raiders, a team gaining respect after a 12-4 season that earned individual accolades for several players.
These early odds don't portend much – an offseason's acquisitions and impactful injuries can obviously turn a tide – but it shows that the Raiders are believed to be a playoff contender yet again next season.
Sports
New England Patriots -- 19/4
Dallas Cowboys -- 9/1
Green Bay Packers -- 10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers -- 10/1
Atlanta Falcons -- 14/1
Denver Broncos -- 16/1
Minnesota Vikings -- 16/1
Oakland Raiders -- 16/1
Seattle Seahawks -- 16/1
Carolina Panthers -- 25/1
Indianapolis Colts -- 25/1
Kansas City Chiefs -- 25/1
New York Giants -- 25/1
Arizona Cardinals -- 33/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 33/1
Baltimore Ravens -- 40/1
Detroit Lions -- 40/1
Houston Texans -- 40/1
Cincinnati Bengals -- 50/1
Miami Dolphins -- 50/1
New Orleans Saints -- 50/1
Philadelphia Eagles -- 50/1
Tennessee Titans -- 50/1
Washington Redskins -- 50/1
Buffalo Bills -- 66/1
Jacksonville Jaguars -- 66/1
Los Angeles Chargers -- 66/1
Los Angeles Rams -- 75/1
New York Jets -- 75/1
Chicago Bears -- 100/1
Cleveland Browns -- 150/1
San Francisco 49ers -- 150/1
