^^^Thats from April.
http://www.siccness.net/vb/showthread.php?t=233397&highlight=schedule
^^^ The updated strength of schedule for this year.
Decline of the AFC West?
Yes, the AFC West is in a decline. The chargers, Cheifs, and Broncos are now what they used to be. They are not even what they were last year. And beating the raiders is not firing on all cylinders, beating easy teams makes teams look better. The Cheifs are good but no where near what they used to be. And the Broncos are relying on field goals to save the game, I dont think thats going to last to long.
Staying competitive against the Lions, Titans, Broncos and chiefs is really difficult to do. Raiders play their first tough opponent in the Chargers and what happened? They got blown out and the game wasnt even close.
The steelers game and the Ravens games werent blow outs and the Niners were competitive in those games. The Ravens and the Steelers are both better teams then anyone the Raiders have played so far.
The raiders would have a tougher time with the seahawks, giants and the saints, if would have played better teams like them.