After a three-year hiatus, the Oakland Raiders show positive signs in the 2015 season.
Led by new head coach Jack Del Rio, the Raiders exhibit a big-play offense featuring quarterback Derek Carr, wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree and running back Latavius Murray.
The up-and-down defense is led by emerging star Khalil Mack and ageless Charles Woodson.
For the first time since 2011, the Raiders play meaningful games in December.
Their 7-9 record is an improvement from the past three seasons but not good enough to end a 13-year postseason drought.
With the exception of a blowout loss to Cincinnati in the season opener, in their remaining 15 games the Raiders have the lead or trail by seven points or less in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately, style points do not translate into victory in the competitive NFL, where a few positive plays can mean the difference between winning and losing.
Here's a capsule review of Oakland's 2015 season:
Despite more than doubling their win total from the previous season, the Raiders miss the playoffs for a 13th consecutive season. Four losses in five weeks knock the Raiders out of playoff contention and negate a promising 4-3 start.
Their performances match the 2005 Raiders season, when Kerry Collins, Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan reached the 3,000-1,000-1,000 club. The 1996 New England Patriots (Drew Bledsoe, Terry Glenn, Curtis Martin are the only team to have a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard receiver and a 1,000-yard rusher in league history.
Khalil Mack, right, is
named to the 2015 Associated Press All-Pro Team at defensive end and outside linebacker — becoming the first player to be selected to the first-team at two positions.
Mack's signature game is a boffo five-sack performance at Denver on Dec. 13 that fuels Oakland's 15-12 upset of the Broncos. Mack's five sacks equal Howie Long's franchise record against the Redskins on Oct. 2, 1983.
For only the second time in franchise history, the Raiders have a 3,000-yard passer (Derek Carr, 3,987), a 1,000-yard rusher (Latavius Murray, 1,066) and 1,000-yard receiver (Amari Cooper (1,070).
The Raiders surrender a franchise-worst 597 yards during their 38-35 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 8, 2015. The previous Raiders record was 593 yards allowed against San Diego on Nov. 10, 1985.
The Raiders allow 19 of their 33 sacks in the final five games, including a season-high six against the Chiefs in the season finale.
Derek Carr throws for eight TDs with seven interceptions in the Raiders' final five games. The second-year starter has 24 TD passes with only six picks in the season's first 11 games.
4-4: Raiders' road record, their best showing since going 5-3 in the 2011 season.
7: Derek Carr interceptions in the fourth quarter, including three against the Chiefs on Dec. 6.
13: Consecutive non-winning seasons by the Raiders. Oakland has not had a winning record since going 12-4 in 2002.
32: Touchdown passes by Derek Carr, who becomes only the second Raider (Daryle Lamonica accomplised the feat in 1967 and '69) to throw 30 or more scoring passes in a season.
Running back Latavius Murray
"There are some teams in the playoffs that we played against. There are teams that we saw the mistakes they had and they barely beat us and things like that. We see where we’re headed. Obviously we didn’t earn it, we’re not there yet, but we see where we’re headed."
Quarterback Derek Carr
"For this team, in critical situations you can’t beat yourself. It’s hard enough to go out there and play the other team, but when you make mistakes that are hurting you and are self-inflicted, it’s hard to overcome. As this team grows and gets better, we’ll get better at those type of things.”
Safety Charles Woodson
“We didn’t win this game, but there was no lack of determination or grit. I love that about how we developed, how we can stay in it.”
Coach Jack Del Rio after a 23-17
loss at Kansas City in the season finale
"This is my last game in the Coliseum but just know I'll never leave you. Go Raiders!"
Safety Charles Woodson after a
23-20 win over San Diego on Dec. 24
Retiring Raiders safety Charles Woodson finishes with 65 career interceptions, tied for fifth place on the carrer list with Ken Riley. Charles Woodson finishes tied with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper with 13 defensive TDs, the most in league history.
The Raiders finish with a 7-9 record in Jack Del Rio's first year as Oakland head coach. Only Tom Cable in 2010 and Hue Jackson in 2011 (both 8-8) have won more games in a season as Oakland head coach since 2003.
