NFL Oakland Raiders

5 Opponents the Oakland Raiders Need To Beat In 2015

5 Opponents the Oakland Raiders Need To Beat In 2015

Oakland Raiders fans
Getty Images

The Oakland Raiders had another disappointing season last year, and are looking for answers to get themselves back on the right track. Being in a tough division certainly doesn't make things any easier. But if they are unable to beat their AFC West foes, along with other talented teams in their 2015 schedule, they simply have no hope of turning things around for the better.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith Kansas City Chiefs
Getty Images

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith Kansas City Chiefs
Getty Images

The Kansas City Chiefs are a team capable of doing big things in 2015. They have made huge strides in the last few years and will continue to improve. The Raiders, however, did defeat them once in 2014. They will need to do it again if they have any hopes of being a playoff contender.

4. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos
Getty Images

4. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos
Getty Images

The Denver Broncos will enter the 2015 fresh with a new coaching staff and most likely a returning Peyton Manning at quarterback. This could mean great things for this team, but it may take some time to really gel as a unit. If the Raiders play the Broncos early in the season, they have a chance of catching them at the right time, as they still work through any unfamiliar kinks.

3. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans offense
Getty Images

3. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans offense
Getty Images

The Raiders will need to win some key AFC games on the road to be successful in 2015, and this is one of them. The Tennessee Titans are coming off a terrible 2-14 season, and if the Raiders want to be relevant in playoff talks, they will have to get wins against subpar teams like the Titans.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton and Giovani Bernard Cincinnati Bengals
Getty Images

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton and Giovani Bernard Cincinnati Bengals
Getty Images

If the Raiders are going to beat an elite team next year, they have the best chance of doing it at home. The Cincinnati Bengals will most likely be losing some key players to free agency this offseason, and with all their offensive weapons, they have yet to establish a strong identity. This is an AFC game the Raiders may be able to succeed in.

1. San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers
Getty Images

1. San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers
Getty Images

The Raiders will have to win some AFC West division games in order to have a successful season. The San Diego Chargers just missed the playoffs in 2014 and will be coming back with a vengeance. They will be a hard team to beat, but it simply has to be done.

Share Tweet