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Oakland Raiders: Five reasons to be pessimistic in 2017

By Sayre Bedinger

Jun 13, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) addresses the media at minicamp press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) addresses the media at minicamp press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and quarterback Connor Cook (8) in action against the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and quarterback Connor Cook (8) in action against the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Raiders are notoriously sloppy…

The Raiders have had a recent history of extremely sloppy play. In fact, last season, they led the NFL in penalties at 9.1 penalties per game. They weren’t much better the year prior, averaging 8.7 penalties per game, good for third worst in the league.

In fact, dating back to 2010, no team has committed more penalties than the Oakland Raiders.

Last season, the Raiders committed over 1,200 yards’ worth of infractions. Their penalty of choice?

Holding.

Between offensive and defensive holding, it was a 50-50 split for the Raiders. They committed 22 holding penalties on both sides of the ball.

That type of sloppy play is not usually indicative of a championship caliber team. By comparison, the New England Patriots committed 53 fewer infractions last year than the Raiders.

The Seattle Seahawks, ironically with Marshawn Lynch and company, are the last team to lead the league in penalties (130 overall, led by 29 false start penalties) and win a Super Bowl. That was as recent as 2013, but that result is also atypical.

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