ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Yes, the Oakland Raiders won the offseason -- after I predicted they would make a three-game improvement to 10-6 -- so they should be even better than that now, right? Well, I still have the Raiders at 10-6 and potentially playing for the AFC West title in the season finale. But experience, health and surviving road-heavy starts and finishes in the schedule will tell the tale.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
The Raiders first-team defense was uneven, unable to get a stop on a game’s opening series and unable to get a consistent four-man pass rush in the preseason. What will a rested and focused Drew Brees, with plenty of time in the pocket, be able to accomplish? Record: 0-1.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Raiders are eager to get that nasty taste out of their mouths from the Big Easy. The Falcons, who are a decidedly different team on the road than in their own dome, offer the perfect tonic. Record: 1-1.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Remember how comfortable Marcus Mariota looked in the pocket against the Raiders in Week 3 of the preseason? The Raiders defense will be less vanilla this time around, but can it contain the run? Record: 2-1.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
The Raiders ended their 16-game losing streak in games played in the Eastern time zone last year with a victory at the Cleveland Browns. Plus, Oakland beat the Ravens at home, so confidence is key. Record: 3-1.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, vs. San Diego Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET
Emerging from a brutal stretch in which three of their first four games were on the road, the Raiders face a team at home they swept last year. And the dirt baseball infield should also be gone. Record: 4-1.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:05 p.m. ET
This is different ... consecutive home games. The Raiders take full advantage. Record: 5-1.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET
The Jaguars, like the Raiders, are a popular pick to rise from the ashes this season. So it’s hard to call this a trap game, right? Record: 5-2.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Initially, I had the Raiders dropping this game because it seemed as though they would be making consecutive cross-country trips to Florida and the travel would trip them up. Instead, they are staying the week in Florida, and getting their body clocks right should help. Record: 6-2.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6 vs. Denver Broncos, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Broncos still have issues at quarterback after the retirement of Peyton Manning and the free-agent departure of Brock Osweiler. So while Denver’s defense is still outstanding, home-field advantage wins the day ... and the game. Record: 7-2.
Week 10: Bye
For the first time in years, the bye week is not favored over the Raiders.
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 21 vs. Houston Texans in Mexico City, 8:30 p.m. ET
Los Raiders are the home team in Mexico City, even if the Texans have a shorter trip. Khalil Mack vs. J.J. Watt on Monday Night Football goes to the guy in the black jersey. Record: 8-2.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m. ET
A short week after an international game? Emotional letdown time for the Raiders, and an emotional jolt for Cam Newton, who taunts the Black Hole. Record: 8-3.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:05 p.m.ET
Is Rex Ryan still employed by this point? In any event, the Raiders clinch their first winning record since 2002. Record: 9-3.
Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 8 at Chiefs, 8:25 p.m. ET
Another short week for the Raiders, and the Chiefs are rounding into shape. Tough test for Oakland. Record: 9-4.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 at Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET
I wrote it before, and I’ll write it again: The Raiders have no interest in moving to San Diego, because they already own it. Might Oakland be in position to win the division? Record: 10-4.
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24 vs. Indianapolis Colts, 4:05 p.m. ET
Another flip from April in that I initially had the Raiders winning this game. But after seeing the defense’s issues in getting stops (and yes, I realize much can change from Week 3 of the preseason to Week 16 of the regular season), Andrew Luck and Frank Gore could put on a clinic. Record: 10-5.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET
Unless Kansas City has run away with the division, this could be a game for the division title. The Broncos’ experience helps them eke it out, and the Raiders set their eyes on a Happy New Year wild-card berth. Record: 10-6.