When Adam Schein is discussing football, the Raiders usually come up. So, when he put out his 2020 bold NFL predictions, you kinda figured the Raiders would be in there somewhere. There, at No. 2, right after predicting the Patriots would tank without Tom Brady, was his Raiders bold prediction:
Josh Jacobs will win the rushing title
The Raiders’ second-year back is physical, speedy and fresh, having averaged just 123 carries over his past four years of football (three at Alabama, one in the NFL). Yes, a shoulder injury prematurely ended his fantastic rookie season — when he rushed for 1,150 yards and forced the most missed tackles as a runner, per Pro Football Focus — but he’ll be recovered and ready to rock in the fall.
In 2020, the presence of rookie speed merchant Henry Ruggs III should loosen things up, preventing teams from always stacking the box. A year removed from the Antonio Brown debacle, Derek Carr and the passing attack are going to sing. The Raiders’ offensive line is mammoth and talented — the unit will provide Jacobs plenty of room to truck the opposition. Jacobs logged 242 carries last season. I think that number gets closer to that of fellow Alabama alum Derrick Henry, who toted the rock a league-high 303 times in 2019. I can’t wait to watch it.
An interesting thing here is that his prediction within the prediction may actually be even bolder. Derek Carr and the passing attack are going to sing? That there’s pretty bold. Carr’s passing attack hasn’t been able to carry a tune the past three years while Jacobs put up his great numbers while nursing an injury literally half the season and missing three games.
Other interesting bold predictions by Schein include that Sam Darnold will become a star, the Seahawks will miss the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes will throw for 51 touchdowns, and Derwin James will win Defensive Player of the Year.
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