Headlines followed the Raiders like a bad smell last year, both good and bad. After a massive off-season, can they finally let their football do the talking?
Strength
The scary thing about the Raiders is their strength is only going to get stronger this season. Las Vegas had the sixth-most passing yards in the NFL last season, in a high-volume system, and with Davante Adams coming to Vegas in a blockbuster trade, it is hard to see that number getting any lower. With Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow still there, this should be a top-three passing offence.
Weakness
Last season, Las Vegas gave up the second-most penalties in the league, resulting in the most penalty yards conceded in the entire NFL. Little things like holding on first down and defensive pass interference on third down were killers throughout the season for Vegas and something they need to improve drastically.
Player to watch
All the Las Vegas talk throughout the off-season was about Davante Adams, but some people forget they made another big-time move bringing in Chandler Jones in free agency. Jones exploded at the start of the 2021 season, having five sacks against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, before struggling with injuries in Arizona. If he can stay healthy on the other side of Maxx Crosby, this is going to be a dynamite duo.
Who’s under pressure?
The Raiders took a running back in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, Josh Jacobs. They declined his fifth-year option meaning that he is most likely not going to be a Raider beyond this season. Despite not being used much in the high-volume pass offence, when he has got a chance to touch the ball, he has not been efficient. In the past two seasons, he has not averaged over four yards per carry. If he wants a decent contract to play elsewhere, he needs to produce.
Projection
Playing in the toughest division in football isn’t going to be easy, but this is a playoff team from last season that got significantly better over the off-season. Whenever you can have a 1000-yard receiver (Hunter Renfrow) as your third option, you are going to put up points and their defence looks to have taken a big step up with acquisitions Chandler Jones, Jayon Brown and Rock Ya Sin automatic starters.
Win-loss: 12-5
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
12-5 is a big call but at this stage the AFC West teams look so close so in my win projections I had them all going 1-1 in division, and the rest of their schedule is pretty easy!
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
All the attention has been on Davante Adams, but I think Chandler Jones could be a more important acquisition for the Raiders this year. As you say, he and Crosby could make the Raiders defence uncomfortable for any opposing QBs (did I hear anyone say Mahomes?) That said, 12-5 is a big call considering the AFC West could be the best division in the NFL; the Broncos and Chargers are improving and the Chiefs are the Chiefs!