2017 NFL Power Rankings: Where do Los Angeles Rams stand heading into Week 1 preseason?

7. Oakland Raiders

After years of frustration and losing records, the Oakland Raiders finally gave their die-hard fans what they’ve desperately been waiting for all these years with a playoff berth, although it was a shame to see them lose early on to the Houston Texans since Derek Carr was unable to suit up. Believe it or not, the Raiders enter the upcoming season, as one of the most popular bets to win the Super Bowl, and it actually doesn’t sound all that crazy when looking at the talent they have to work with.

Obviously, Carr should find himself in contention for the MVP award assuming the quarterback remains healthy, but when looking at the rest of the offense, this unit has the potential to finish near the top of the league. It was one thing to arguably have one of the league’s top duos at wideout in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, but if Marshawn Lynch returns to being Beast Mode, opposing defenses are going to have all sorts of issues with containing the Raiders.

Plus, for a team that will eventually be making the move to Las Vegas, there’s nothing Carr and company would love more than to reward Oakland fans with a Super Bowl before that happens. Overtaking the New England Patriots in the AFC may not be the easiest of tasks, but the Raiders seem up for the challenge.