There’s much conjecture floating around regarding the Las Vegas Raiders, as for CBS Sports, they recently laid claim to three bold predictions.
There are many different expectations for the 2020 Raiders, it just depends on who you talk to. A sect of Raider Nation, bless their heart, believes the team will be in the Super Bowl every year. They’ll even convince you that quarterback Derek Carr will be the one to lead the team to such an accomplishment. Others, including ESPN’s Todd McShay, believe the Silver and Black are headed for a top 10 NFL Draft pick next year. It’s possible, as crazy as it may sound, the truth could be somewhere in the middle.
Recently, via their Twitter, CBS Sports HQ might also be thinking along those lines, for the most part.
3 Bold Prediction for the Raiders in 2020!
(per @BryanDeArdo)1. Derek Carr receives his first Pro Bowl selection since 2017
2. Josh Jacobs will lead the AFC in all-purpose yards
3. The Raiders clinch a wild-card berth
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/9Qivy1FqG8
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 19, 2020
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Can The Raiders Come Thru With Any of These Predictions?
Well, it’s easier said than done, and for the Raiders it will be incredibly difficult to deliver on any of these predictions. Out of the three, at first glance, the one that seems most plausible is Josh Jacobs leading the AFC in all-purpose yards. Jacobs certainly showed he’s capable of pursuing such an accomplishment last year totaling 1,315 all-purpose yards. The only concern would that Jacobs stays healthy this year. And that’s a legitimate worry considering head coach Jon Gruden’s desire to increase the running back’s load.
As for Derek Carr getting a Pro Bowl nod, that’s unlikely considering the talent level of quarterbacks in the NFL. So much so, let’s not forget he’s not even the best quarterback in the AFC West. However, if you’re a Raiders fan, isn’t team success more vital and important? That being said, clinching a Wild Card berth isn’t exactly unattainable. The NFL expanding their playoff format to 14 teams from 12 could benefit the Raiders. While the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are improving, the Raiders should still come out of the AFC West with a 9-7 record, in theory, it would be enough for that playoff spot. Raiders football can’t come soon enough.
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*Top Photo: Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group