The Raiders traded their best player roughly a week before the season started, and got nothing back to help this team this year. The Khalil Mack move was a long-term play, something that provides significant draft capital and financial flexibility down the road.
That could spell trouble in the short term, especially on defense if young bucks can't collectively turn up the heat. The Raiders have offense to spare, assuming the offensive tackles hold up, and should be well coached on game day by Jon Gruden and Paul Guenther.
Gruden himself admitted the team has holes. Mack could've covered some on defense. That's why their predicted record drops a smidge, but their place within the AFC West remains the same.
Here are season predictions for the AFC West, and the entire league.
2018 NFL predictions
AFC WEST
1. L.A. Chargers
2. Kansas City
3. RAIDERS (7-9)
4. Denver
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AFC EAST
1. New England
2. N.Y. Jets
3. Miami
4. Buffalo
AFC NORTH:
1. Pittsburgh
2. Baltimore
3. Cleveland
4. Cincinnati
AFC SOUTH:
1. Jacksonville
2. Houston
3. Tennessee
4. Indianapolis
AFC Playoffs
Wild card round: L.A. Chargers over Houston; Pittsburgh over Baltimore
Divisional round: New England over Pittsburgh; Jacksonville over L.A. Chargers
AFC Championship: New England over Jacksonville
NFC WEST
1. L.A. Rams
2. 49ERS (9-7)
3. Seattle
4. Arizona
NFC East
1. Philadelphia
2. N.Y. Giants
3. Dallas
4. Washington
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay
2. Minnesota
3. Chicago
4. Detroit
NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans
2. Carolina
3. Atlanta
4. Tampa Bay
NFC Playoffs
Wild card round: Minnesota over Green Bay; Philadelphia over Carolina
Divisional round: L.A. Rams over Minnesota; New Orleans over Philadelphia
NFC Championship: L.A. Rams over New Orleans
SUPER BOWL 53
Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta
L.A. Rams over New England
NFL AWARDS
NFL MVP: QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Offensive player of the year: RB Todd Gurley, L.A. Rams
Defensive player of the year: LB Khalil Mack, Chicago
Coach of the year: Anthony Lynn, L.A. Chargers
Comeback player of the year: QB DeShaun Watson, Texans
Offensive rookie of the year: RB Saquon Barkely, N.Y. Giants
Defensive rookie of the year: DE Bradley Chubb, Denver
