I could be in the minority on this, but I didn’t like the (re) hiring of Jon Gruden as head coach. He hasn’t toed the sidelines in a decade, and then he really lost me at the combine when he said, “Are you talking about the analytics? All the modern technology? I am trying to throw the game back to 1998.”

There is a chance the other three teams in the AFC West are better than Oakland, and a last-place finish isn’t far-fetched.

The defense was a disaster in 2017. Per Football Outsiders, that unit ranked 29th overall in their advanced metrics. The offense was 13th, and the Raiders ranked 19th overall as a team.

I did not like their draft, and I don’t expect the defense to drastically improve. Pro Football Focus ranks Oakland’s secondary 24th entering 2018. The Raiders are ranked 10th against the run, and 13th overall with their pass rush. That’s with Khalil Mack, and he elected not to report to training camp. Reports surfaced July 26 revealing Mack and Gruden haven’t spoken since the latter was hired back in January.

They had one of the best offensive lines in all of 2016, but Pro Football Focus ranks that unit No. 7 heading into this season. The website added: “All four returning starters graded out worse in 2017 than they did in 2016.”

If the offensive line drops off again, how will Marshawn Lynch or Doug Martin be able to create enough on their own?

The additions of Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant grabbed headlines, but more for their production in previous years or off-the-field problems. Along with Amari Cooper, I want to really like Derek Carr’s weapons, but they need to prove it to me.

One note on Cooper: Take away his brilliant 11-catch game vs. the Chiefs for 210 yards and two TDs, and the following were his season averages: 2.85 catches, 36 yards and .38 TDs/game.

That’s why I’ll play Under 8 wins (+115) on the Raiders.