2018 Oakland Raiders Season Win Totals Predictions and Expert Picks

2017 Record: 6-10

2018 Oakland Raiders Las Vegas Season Win Total: 8.0*

2018 Oakland Raiders Season Win Total Picks NFL Football: 'Under'

Jon Gruden is kind of a human Rorschach test on the Oakland Raiders. However you see the Gruden hiring will directly correlate to what you think the Raiders' chances are this year. Some look and see a move to bring back one of the franchises most successful coaches and a link back to the last time Oakland was actually relevant in the NFL. Others see this as a craven marketing ploy as this franchise prepares for an awkward move to Las Vegas.

Gruden has been out of coaching for 10 years. But that doesn't mean he's forgotten how to coach. I honestly don't know what his long-term prospects are after signing a lucrative 10-year deal. But as I look at this year's team I can see two general themes starting to emerge and the outline of what Gruden expects the Raiders to be.

First, the Raiders have gotten significantly older. Gruden has brought in veterans like Jordy Nelson, Doug Martin, Breno Giacomini, Derrick Johnson, Leon Hall and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Considering the other vets that they already have - like Marshawn Lynch, Jared Cook and Reggie Nelson - this is going to be one of the more experienced, veteran teams in the AFC.

Second, if the preseason is any indication, Gruden wants to turn Oakland into more of a run-oriented offense. They are third in the NFL this preseason in rushing yards per game, and they are running the ball (27.3 rushes per game) nearly as much as throwing it (29 pass attempts per game). Gruden has talked repeatedly about getting back to old-school, smash-mouth football and about making Oakland tougher on both sides of the ball.

It remains to be seen how all these pieces are going to fit together. Oakland could have as many as 14 new starters this year. They have new systems on both sides of the ball. And there are a lot of moving parts at work here. Again, what is behind the offseason moves? Are they clearing the decks in an attempt to make a legitimate move in the AFC? Or is all of this just an attempt to win fans over by making it look like they are trying to win now?

At the end of the day, the Raiders season will come down to three things: Derek Carr, the running game and the defensive back seven.

Carr has played in three straight Pro Bowls. But he's also seen his numbers dip drastically - across the board - in each of the past three seasons. Can reuniting him with offensive coordinator Greg Olson (Carr's OC in his rookie year) spark a resurgence? Because Oakland needs him to be at his best.

I think the Raiders are going to be a dangerous team for bettors. They are going to be talented enough and experienced enough to beat any team on any given day. But I also don't know if their roster will gel enough for this group to become a consistent threat in the West. I think this group is going to be a tricky play all season long. But I do like the direction that Gruden is taking this roster, getting older and tougher. We'll see if it can pay some short-term dividends. But I don't see it leading to an above .500 record. I have them as a really competitive 7-9.

Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past seven years, earning nearly $28,000 in total football profit. He has also posted seven of nine winning seasons (including back-to-back winning years) and produced 26 of 41 winning football months and an amazing 45 of 70 winning football months over the past decade. Robert has eight of 10 winning NFL preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 900 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of five winning seasons. Robert is looking for a third straight winning football year and wants more profit this fall. SIGN UP HERE TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 3-FOR-1 FOOTBALL SPECIALS!

We are offering new clients $60 in free college football picks for Robert's picks or any Advisory Board handicapper of your choosing. Get your free college football picks now!

Read more articles by Robert Ferringo