The Las Vegas Raiders enter Week 6 (their bye week) with a record of 1-4. Here is why you should not count them out of the playoff hunt just yet.
The Las Vegas Raiders are not off to a hot start, which is a kind way of putting it. The Raiders are 1-4 falling to the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and most recently the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders’ sole win was against another underperforming AFC West team, the Denver Broncos.
The Raiders loss to the Kansas Chiefs was definitely gut-wrenching for all fans of the Silver and Black but the Raiders are not getting blown out in any of these games. For all of the hype and glamour surrounding Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and crew, they beat the Raiders by a single point, on their home field. The Chiefs also felt the sting of five penalties while the Raiders were dealt with 11 and still scored 29 points on the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
In all four of the Raiders’ losses, they have not lost by more than 6 points and two losses were decided by two points or less. There are many reasons why the Raiders cannot be counted out but the main one is the overall potential of the unit.
The Las Vegas Raiders still have playoff potential
The Raiders’ defense is in the middle of the pack statistically but they were able to shut out the Chiefs for almost a full half, a similar output to the Cardinals, and they have stars on both sides of the ball that have the ability to take over the game. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby leads the league in sacks, receiver Davante Adams is tied for second with five touchdowns, and running back Josh Jacobs is third in rushing yards. The potential is astronomical.
The Chiefs game was a good example of the Raiders finally playing complementary football. The defense was creating substantial pressure on Mahomes and the offense was moving the ball down the field steadily and scoring points. The offense appeared to be without rhythm or a real identity in the first three games of the season.
The Raiders finally started establishing a smash mouth run game with Josh Jacobs and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was beginning to show off his ability to adjust and ultimately unleash some of his more efficient defensive players.
Quarterback Derek Carr and Davante Adams even had a few moments like this that helped the Raiders jump to a 17-0 lead.
Fourth and one?
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 11, 2022
GIVE HIM SIX @tae15adams#LVvsKC | ESPN | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/hi3ZgQjC4o
While that all sounds exciting obviously the Raiders are 1-4 for a reason. The general synopsis for that is the Raiders are having issues closing games out, maintaining, and pushing the ball downfield consistently. The defense also always seems to play with more energy and precision in the first half than in the second. The easy response is that the Raiders are having trouble playing a full complete 60-minute game with equal effort and productivity.
2. The Las Vegas Raiders’ remaining schedule is favorable
Another reason the Raiders can still turn this disaster into a playoff run is in Week 5 the Raiders were playing at their best so far this season, finally showing that they are clicking offensively and defensively. Their schedule after the bye week also sets them up for a possible win streak;
- Week 7- Houston Texans
- Week 8- New Orleans Saints
- Week 9- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 10- Indianapolis Colts
- Week 11- Denver Broncos
- Week 12- Seattle Seahawks
- Week 13- Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 14- Los Angeles Rams
- Week 15- New England Patriots
- Week 16- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 17- San Francisco 49ers
- Week 18- Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders could realistically win 10 of the remaining 12 games on the schedule giving them a regular season record of 11-6. That would likely be enough for them to make it into the playoffs and reach the beginning of the expectations for this loaded team.
3. Improvements could still be coming this season for the Raiders
Coach Josh McDaniels is also finding his identity. The former Patriots offensive coordinator was supposed to reveal a mind-blowing offense and at the beginning of the season it appeared to be mind-blowing indeed; it was bad. McDaniels clearly wants to be an aggressive play-caller and take chances but a few of his decisions left us applauding or stamping our feet.
The onside kick call during the Broncos game wasn’t ideal and ultimately failed. The decision not to take the field goal against the Chiefs also was not a favorite when the 2-point conversion failed. But the previous video of Davante Adams’ touchdown was a brilliant 4th-and-1 call that had many jumping off their couches with glee. If McDaniels can find the right balance in this desire to be aggressive but tactful the Raiders have a real chance for success.
The offensive line isn’t as bad as we all thought they would be (besides the penalties), Josh Jacobs is running like an All-Pro, the defense is vastly improved from last season, and Derek Carr is ranking in the top 13 of all quarterbacks in the major categories (yards, touchdowns, and QBR).
Granted the Davante Adams pushing situation isn’t ideal but compared to the Raiders’ off-field woes of 2021 (Ruggs, Gruden), their star receiver getting a town ordinance (essentially a ticket) should be an easier bump in the road to overcome.
Look for the Raiders to pull it together after the bye week and begin a winning streak in Week 7 against the Houston Texans.