LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2021 Record - 10-7-0
Head Coach - Josh McDaniels
New Additions - Davante Adams (WR), Keenan Cole (WR), Rock Ya-Sin (DB), Bilal Nichols (DL), Chandler Jones (LB), Vernon Butler (DL), Jayon Brown (LB)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 11th (364 YPG); Scoring - 18th (22.0 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 14th (337 YPG); Scoring - 26th (25.8 PPG)
Derek Carr is the quarterback and had 4,804 passing yards in 2021 with 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Josh Jacobs will be the primary back after he gained 872 rushing yards (4.0 YPC average) and scored nine touchdowns and also had 54 receptions. Kenyan Drake is the other running back and he averaged 4.0 YPC while rushing for 254 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Davante Adams (123 receptions for 1,553 yards and eleven TD) comes over from the Green Bay Packers and will team with Hunter Renfrow (103, 1,038, nine TD) while tight end Darren Waller will look to be back healthy this season. Waller had 55 catches for 665 yards and two touchdowns. Keenan Cole (28, 449, one TD with the Jets) and Bryan Edwards (34, 571, three TD) are also in the mix.
Maxx Crosby came on strong last season at defensive end and had eight quarterback sacks and he will have Chandler Jones (10 1/2 sacks with Arizona) playing on the other side this season. Linebacker Denzel Perryman had a solid season, leading the Raiders with 154 tackles while avoiding missed time with injuries. Safety Johnathan Abram had an interception along with 116 tackles in 2021. Corners Trayvon Mullen, Jr. and Rock Ya-Sin and safety Tre'von Moehrig round out the secondary.
Outlook for 2022 season - The Raiders surprised some by getting to the playoffs for the first time in five years and this season they have some big names coming over to help go further should they make it back. Head Coach Josh McDaniels gets another chance as he takes over the team and will look to see how the team can improve with Carr throwing to Adams, Renfrow and Waller.
The team averaged 22 points per game last year, but with perhaps the NFL's top wide receiver (Adams) now in town, the sky could be the limit for this offense. No more excuses for Carr, who has had numerous skeptics through the years. Mix in the running game for balance and perhaps the Raiders can light up the scoreboard this season. The questions about the run game (28th ranked in NFL) surfaced because of injuries to Jacobs last season. Over on the defense, Jones and Crosby should terrorize enemy quarterbacks, which perhaps could lead to more picks for the defensive backfield. The Raiders had a league low six interception last season while totaling 35 sacks.
If all things fall into place, the Raiders might challenge for the AFC West crown. But that could be a big lift because the Chiefs (six straight division titles) still look strong and the Broncos and Chargers made big moves as well to make this perhaps the best division in the NFL. The Raiders team creed of "Just Win Baby" would be in order for sure in 2022. Another playoff appearance is definitely possible and the challenge for this team would be advancing past the first round game they play in should they make it there.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at L.A. Chargers
Week Two - vs. Arizona
Week Three - at Tennessee
Week Four - vs. Denver
Week Five - at Kansas City
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - vs. Houston
Week Eight - at New Orleans
Week Nine - at Jacksonville
Week Ten - vs. Indianapolis
Week Eleven - at Denver
Week Twelve - at Seattle
Week Thirteen - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Fourteen - at L.A. Rams
Week Fifteen - vs. New England
Week Sixteen - at Pittsburgh
Week Seventeen - vs. San Francisco
Week Eighteen - vs. Kansas City
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