The reason for the Raiders’ total collapse seemed pretty obvious last season: They couldn't stop anybody.

What did they do about it?

They added offensive firepower.

There is a saying that the best offense is a good defense, but is the counter also true? That's what Oakland seems out to prove after adding wide receiver Randy Moss and running back LaMont Jordan to an offense that wasn't really the problem.

A year ago, Oakland finished next to last in points allowed (442), 30th in total yards allowed (5,936) and passing yards allowed and let opponents convert on third-down a league high 47.4 percent of the time.

So the Raiders plan to run the ball better with Jordan and throw it deeper with Moss.

Coach Norv Turner's goal is to add a touchdown a game to their average of 20 points a game a year ago. Since Moss produces on average a touchdown a game, that doesn't seem far-fetched, and if he can do it the Raiders will make every weekend a tough one for opposing defensive coordinators.

Jordan ran for only 479 yards on 93 carries as Curtis Martin's caddy with the Jets, but that's a per-carry average of 5.2 yards. It was also 54 more yards than Oakland's leader, Amos Zereoue, so it's already an improvement even though he never has carried 100 times in a season, let alone the 250-to-300 he may get this season. Oakland was last in the NFL in rushing, averaging 80 yards a game in part because they tried less than anyone else. No team was more out of balance offensively than the Raiders, who rushed only 387 times while passing 612. That ratio is so out of whack they had to do something. Jordan waited four years for this chance, averaging 4.87 yards a carry during his career, and he and the Raiders believe his presence will reverse the rushing problems of a year ago, return balance to the offense and help it control the clock and keep that defense off the field long enough to improve their play.

Last season Oakland finished last in time of possession, controlling the ball only 26:47 a game. No defense could long stand up to that kind of weekly pressure. The belief is Moss' presence will open up running room for Jordan and pass routes for deep threats Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry. If they get free, quarterback Kerry Collins showed he can find them. After a shaky start in which he threw 14 interceptions in his first seven games as the starter, Collins finished strong over the final seven games by throwing 16 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions.

If the Raiders are right, their defense will improve because their offense will be better. If they're wrong they're the Chiefs.

HOT SEAT: Randy Moss. Even though he scored 90 touchdowns in his seven years in Minnesota, the Vikings never won anything. He caused more than a few headaches for his teammates, especially quarterback Daunte Culpepper, as well as for the opposition. He'll produce, but his insistence on getting the ball in every situation or sulking could be the kind of problem a rebuilding team with too many personality quirks already really doesn't need. It's up to him, because Moss is the most talented and dangerous receiver in the game. The question is whether he'll be more dangerous to his own team or their opponents.

OVERHEARD: Warren Sapp will get a chance to redeem himself after failing last season when shifted to defensive end, but many in football believe he's used up. Once the game's most dominating tackle, Sapp has been slowed by weight problems and the beatings he's taken over the years in Tampa Bay. His relative lack of size is now more than he can overcome because his quickness is gone. Sapp proved last year he can't play rush end. If he can't play defensive tackle in a more traditional 4-3 front like he used to, he's a liability because the one thing he can still do is run his mouth and no one wants to listen if you're not producing.

OUTLOOK: The offense should score but, as the Chiefs keep proving, you can't win consistently in the NFL simply by trying to outscore everyone. The defense has to respond to the shift to a 4-3 but there aren't a lot of new faces and it may be more personnel than scheme that gave the Raiders fits a year ago.

PREDICTION: Fourth.

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