Since reaching Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, the Raiders have gone 53-123 with zero postseason appearances.
It appeared that the Silver and Black had finally turned the corner in 2010 and 2011 after posting back-to-back 8-8 records, but consecutive 4-12 seasons in the years to follow have few believing in Oakland heading into the new season.
Making matters worse, the Raiders' 2014 regular-season schedule ranks as the toughest of any team in the league, with Oakland's 13 opponents boasting a combined 2013 win percentage of .578. Only four of their 2014 opponents finished with a losing record in 2013, and six won 10 or more games, including AFC West rivals Denver and Kansas City, whom Oakland will play twice, per Boston Globe's Ben Volin:
Let's take a closer look at Oakland's challenging regular-season slate.
Analysis
If Oakland is going to turn things around in 2014, it'll have to earn more than just one division win. The Raiders went 1-5 against the AFC West in 2013, beating the San Diego Chargers at home in Week 5.
Oakland will more than likely need to be 3-3 or better in the division to have any shot at the postseason.
Outside of the AFC West, things won't get any easier for the Raiders, who will play the best division in football. Oakland is scheduled to play the NFC West next fall, including a road game against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Oakland will host the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers but will likely be an underdog in each of those games.
The Raiders will also play the AFC East. Road games against the New England Patriots and New York Jets project to be the most problematic. But even home matchups with Buffalo and Miami aren't guaranteed...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
