Oakland Raiders Predicted To Win Super Bowl Before Leaving
By Erik Lambert
The Oakland Raiders are finally starting to resemble the team that Al Davis envisioned as owner for so many years before his death.
They have a big, physical offensive line and a strong-armed quarterback who loved to strike deep for big plays. On top of that they have a defense geared to go after the quarterback. This should be a time for celebration. The Raiders genuinely look like the next big thing in the AFC. Instead the people of Oakland have a bittersweet taste in their mouths. Why? There’s a good chance the team won’t be around long enough for them to reap the rewards of patience.
It’s all but certain at this point that the franchise will be moving to Las Vegas perhaps within the next two years. That is not a lot of time for them to give their loyal fans a proper sendoff. Thankfully Dan Graziano of ESPN predicts they’ll get their wish. Among his 25 predictions for the next three years, he feels Oakland will see a fourth Lombardi trophy come to town.
"“Which means either this year or next year, because the Raiders might play in Oakland in 2019, though that’s not the plan as of now. All of the pieces are in place on offense, and enough (Khalil Mack, especially) are in place on defense. And regardless of how it might look, the Patriots can’t win every year.”"
The Raiders are coming off a 12-4 season. This despite having one of the worst defenses in the league and finishing the year up without Derek Carr due to a broken leg. Presuming his good health and improvement on defense, this team doesn’t have too many holes to speak off. They’re young, talented, confidence and aggressive. If anybody is equipped to take down the Patriots in the AFC, it’s them.
One can hope they’re able to give those loyal fans in Oakland one last ride.