The Las Vegas Raiders regressed last season, missing the playoffs and posting a losing record after they made the postseason in 2021.
How much better they will be from a season ago, when they finished 6-11, is still up for debate. Here’s our best guess at worst- and best-case scenarios for the Raiders in 2023.
Ceiling: 9-8
The Raiders have enough talent to post a record over .500. Last season, defensive end Maxx Crosby, wide receiver Davante Adams and running back Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing yards (1,653), were selected to the Pro Bowl.
Las Vegas’ offense could be solid again after it finished 12th in scoring. Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Jakobi Meyers complement each other and give the Raiders strong options in the passing game. The offense’s flow may improve under quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo since he played for head coach Josh McDaniels from 2014 to 2016 while he served as New England OC.
Defensive end Tyree Wilson, the seventh overall pick in the draft, could make an immediate impact. Per OddsChecker, Wilson has the second-best Defensive Rookie of the Year odds. If the 23-year-old meets expectations, he and Crosby could form a formidable pass-rushing duo, strengthening the defense.
Floor: 5-12
Garoppolo is injury-prone, missing 31 games over the past five seasons. He already has a health concern since a broken foot that required surgery sidelined him during OTAs and mini-camp. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the 31-year-old is expected to be ready for training camp. If Garoppolo’s injuries persist, however, Las Vegas could have a massive problem and lose several games. Its backup QBs are Brian Hoyer, Chase Garbers and rookie Aidan O’Connell, who aren’t viable starters.
Las Vegas didn’t make any major improvements to its secondary, which ranked 29th in passing yards and 19th in passing TDs allowed. A weak pass defense will make life harder in the AFC West because quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Justin Herbert (Chargers) await twice a year.
Plus, the Raiders’ schedule is brutal, the 10th most difficult in the league, per NFL Research. Las Vegas’ most challenging stretch is at the beginning of the season from Weeks 1 to 4. During this timeframe, it has three road games and faces three teams that had a winning record in 2022. The Raiders may stumble out of the gate to a 1-3 or 0-4 record, which could lead to a rough season. You can view its complete schedule and analysis here.
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