LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2023 Record - 8-9
Head Coach - Antonio Pierce
Key Additions - Christian Wilkins (DL), Alexander Mattison (RB), Michael Gallup (WR), Gardner Minshew (QB), Cody Whitehair (OL)
Key Losses - Josh Jacobs (RB), Jimmy Garoppolo (QB), Jermaine Eluemunor (OL), Amik Robertson (DB), Hunter Renfrow (WR), Bilal Nichols (DL), Austin Hooper (TE)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Aidan O' Connell (2,218 yards, 12 TD, 7 INT)
RUSHING - Josh Jacobs (805 yards, 3.5 ypc, 6 TD)
RECEIVING - Davante Adams (103 receptions, 1,144 yards, 8 TD)
SACKS - Maxx Crosby (14 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Robert Spillane (3), Tre'von Moehrig, Jr. (3)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Raiders got things going under Antonio Pierce after he took over as head coach last season and will have some new faces on both sides of the football this season. Aidan O' Connell will be the quarterback and Gardner Minshew comes in this season in place of Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup.
The Vegas offense struggled a year ago, averaging just 19.5 PPG (23rd in NFL) and was 27th overall, gaining 290 yards per game, including just 90 YPG rushing, which was 30th in the league. Zamir White (451 yards, 4.3 ypc in 2023) will have his shot at leading the rushing game and Alexander Mattison comes over from Minnesota to bolster the running attack after he averaged just under four yards per carry last season. Davante Adams is the top wide receiver and along with Jakobi Meyers and Michael Gallup, O' Connell should have a chance to put up some decent numbers this season.
The defense was pretty solid, finishing 15th overall (331 YPG allowed) and gave up 19.5 points per game while getting 46 sacks and picking off 13 passes. Maxx Crosby is the main man for this squad and along with Malcolm Koonce (eight sacks) keeps pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Raiders also added defensive tackle Christian Wilkins up front (nine sacks with Miami last year) and he should add to the assault this season.
If the Raiders can keep some of the momentum from last year after Pierce took over as head coach, they could be competitive in the AFC West division. After all, they topped the Kansas City Chiefs late in the season on the road and went 4-2 in divisional play. Cutting down on the turnovers will go a long way to helping them make a run to a possible playoff spot. The team lost five one-score games, so it will be up to the offense to do its part to possibly getting them to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. It won't be easy, but the potential is there.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at L.A. Chargers
Week Two - at Baltimore
Week Three - vs. Carolina
Week Four - vs. Cleveland
Week Five - at Denver
Week Six - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Seven - at L.A. Rams
Week Eight - vs. Kansas City
Week Nine - at Cincinnati
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - at Miami
Week Twelve - vs. Denver
Week Thirteen - at Kansas City
Week Fourteen - at Tampa Bay
Week Fifteen - vs. Atlanta
Week Sixteen - vs. Jacksonville
Week Seventeen - at New Orleans
Week Eighteen - vs. L.A. Chargers
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