Not much was expected of the Oakland Raiders this season. A team coming off consecutive 4-12 seasons with an embattled head coach, not much of a running game, a rookie starting quarterback and a defense full of free agents certainly doesn’t spark much optimism.
So, when the Raiders’ season came to a close Sunday with a 47-14 loss to the Broncos in Denver, it wasn’t a surprise. The Raiders finished 3-13 and won zero games on the road.
Yet as this team heads into the offseason, there are reasons for optimism.
That young quarterback, Derek Carr, proved to the entire league that he has a strong arm, nimble feet and leadership ability. Running back Latavius Murray, tight end Mychal Rivera, rookie linebacker Khalil Mack and cornerback DJ Hayden showed they can be players to build around next season and beyond.
And the team – which could have rolled over and played dead under interim head coach Tony Sparano – did just the opposite, winning three of its final six games, with all three coming against quality opponents.
As veteran safety Charles Woodson said recently of Sparano, “He’s definitely made his case” to be the head coach in 2015.
That’s probably not likely. By all accounts, owner Mark Davis wants to bring in a more high-profile coach for next season.
But even Sunday, in the season finale, Sparano’s players continued to play hard in a game that essentially was meaningless for Oakland.
Though the final score was lopsided, the Raiders stayed with Denver through halftime, trailing just 20-7, thanks to a half-ending field-goal drive by the Broncos.
Sports
And, in the third quarter, the Raiders put together an 80-yard touchdown march to keep it a 27-14 game with plenty of time remaining. That’s when the Broncos then secured it with a strong running game (C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman controlling the clock) and by tacking on a pair of field goals and two late TDs.
Carr finished the game 18-of-36 for 158 yards and a TD with one interception, and Murray had nearly 100 yards from scrimmage.
Now what promises to be a significant offseason for this franchise begins.
First comes the search for a new head coach and possibly a general manager. When the draft rolls around, the Raiders should have the fourth overall pick (behind Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Jacksonville).
When this team begins its next season, there likely will be far greater expectations for this team.
