There are some striking similarities between the over-the-top off-season hype between the 2016 Raiders and 2022 Broncos.
Just for reference...media universally starting hyping the Raiders during the 2015 off-season. I did some research to see what they were seeing...and didn't find anything tangible. It was as if they picked a random team, out of a hat, to promote. Only months later did I realize they were in negotiations with Nevada politicians..to facilitate a move. It finally made sense....as did their 8 4th quarter comebacks.
This was planned way in advance...
Here were the 2015 Raiders rankings...do you see any indication that would warrant every media outlet blowing a hype trumpet?
Here is a comparison of both the 2021 Donks and 2015 Raiders...
I followed along the game threads of the Raiders that year..its usually the best way to read what fans actually think in the moment...
This was one I remember...
"Wow, all the breaks are falling our way. I'm not used to this but I'll take it"
Here is how it ultimately played out...
7-9
12-4 move announced
6-10
I see the same pattern happening this year...looks like NFL corp is hell-bent on inventing a winner for the Walton Group's inaugural season.
There is literally nothing on paper that says the Donks are the 4th best team in the AFC...they were awarded the easiest start through 8 games in the NFL (.421 winning %). That wasn't an accident...