The Las Vegas Raiders recently wrapped up the preseason with a 4-0 record, the first perfect preseason in the franchise’s history. What lies ahead for the Silver and Black in the regular season?
Despite making headlines in the offseason for the improvements on the offensive side of the football, the Raiders’ defense is what put on a show throughout the exhibition schedule. The Las Vegas defense allowed just 12.5 points per game in the preseason, causing three turnovers in just the final game alone. Defensive end Tashawn Bower played spectacularly, registering four sacks and a forced fumble throughout the preseason.
The offense showed promise as well, not committing a single turnover throughout the entire preseason. This followed coach Josh McDaniels’ training camp philosophy of “You can’t win until you learn how not to lose”, which emphasizes avoiding turnovers and unnecessary mistakes. Despite offseason drama involving last year’s first-round pick Alex Leatherwood getting released, the future of the Raiders’ offensive line is not completely bleak. Tackle Jackson Barton did well – starting against the Patriots – and is a name to watch for this season. Although it was only preseason football, it isn’t too early to get excited for what may lie in store for the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders.
Offseason moves
The Raiders finished last season with a 10-7 record, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Las Vegas has room for improvement, and they made a significant effort to fulfill that potential by making multiple big moves in the offseason. Trading their first and second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft for Packers star wide receiver Davante Adams in March – as well as signing DE Chandler Jones and extending QB Derek Carr – have given the Raiders one of the league’s best offseasons.
Looking forward
According to Sharp Football Analysis’s strength of schedule model, the Raiders have the third most difficult schedule in the NFL this upcoming season. Looking over the matchups, they play just three games against teams who are not legitimate playoff contenders (Texans, Jaguars, Seahawks). DraftKings gives Las Vegas a 12.3% chance of winning the AFC West, the lowest odds of every team in the division. There is no doubt that, barring injuries, the Raiders have a difficult path to the playoffs. But despite the challenging schedule, they are still very much in the race to win the AFC West. In as competitive of a division as perhaps any in the league, the standings are likely to be close. A couple of well-timed intra-division wins may be all the Raiders need to return to the postseason, even if they have a less than desirable record.
Final analysis
After a drama-filled 2021 season, Las Vegas is looking to put the past behind them with a new head coach and general manager in 2022. Josh McDaniels has very high expectations for his first season in his first head coaching gig since 2010 in Denver. After the Raiders clinched a wild card berth in a 35-32 overtime thriller against the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2021 finale, much has changed in the AFC West. From the Denver Broncos trading for Russell Wilson to the Chargers adding Khalil Mack and JC Jackson, the path to the playoffs is very different for the Raiders this time around. However, experience often has a way of paying off, and the years-old connection of Carr and Adams from their days at Fresno State will lead to a very efficient offense, giving the Raiders their second straight playoff appearance.
Predicted finish
Wins (10):
Week 3 @ Tennessee
Week 4 vs. Denver
Week 7 vs. Houston
Week 8 @ New Orleans
Week 9 @ Jacksonville
Week 11 @ Denver
Week 12 @ Seattle
Week 15 vs. New England
Week 16 @ Pittsburgh
Week 17 vs. San Francisco
Losses (7):
Week 1 @ LA Chargers
Week 2 @ Arizona
Week 5 @ Kansas City
Week 10 vs. Indianapolis
Week 13 vs. LA Chargers
Week 14 @ LA Rams
Week 18 vs. Kansas City
Stats courtesy of CBSSports.com. Current as of September 5, 2022.
