When the Oakland Raiders take the field Sunday to open the 2015 season, they’ll be in a familiar situation.
Despite extensive roster moves and a new coaching staff, the Raiders – who haven’t had a winning season since 2002 – will be 3-point underdogs to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Yet the Raiders have evolved so much since their 3-13 season of 2014 that the Bengals are wary.
They look at the Raiders and see a team with much more potential than a year ago. This Raiders team has the experienced Jack Del Rio as head coach, a possible Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate in wide receiver Amari Cooper, a stronger offensive line anchored in the middle by veteran center Rodney Hudson, a powerful running back in Latavius Murray and a more aggressive defense that has added some new pieces around dynamic second-year linebacker Khalil Mack.
Bengals safety George Iloka said this week that it’s difficult to prepare for the Raiders because of so many new players on their roster.
“We really don’t know what these guys can bring to the table yet, but we just got to play within the scheme and make them earn everything if they do get stuff,” he told a reporter in Cincinnati.
But the Bengals were a playoff team in 2014, and come into O.co Coliseum (1:25 p.m. kickoff) with plenty of playmakers on offense. Quarterback Andy Dalton has two dangerous receivers in Pro Bowler A.J. Green – who will be a test for the Raiders’ inexperienced young cornerbacks – and Mohamed Sanu. Plus, Cincinnati can run the ball with second-year back Jeremy Hill, who rushed for 1,124 yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry last season. The Cincinnati defense, however, was inconsistent in 2014, giving up an average of 359.3 yards per game.
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Raiders fans are optimistic that 2015 could be a turnaround season and that Del Rio finally will be the man to revitalize the franchise.
Can Derek Carr become a big-time passer? Will the Raiders’ offense be much more dynamic under new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave? And will defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.’s unit play like the Seahawks, where Norton previously coached?
Answers to those questions will begin being answered Sunday afternoon.
“We’re really excited to open at home,” Del Rio said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us as a football team to get a great start.”
