The Raiders overachieved in 2019. Their 7-9 record was greater than the sum of its parts.
Eventually, the lack of talent caught up to them, and the Silver and Black finished the season on a 1-5 skid.
But the Raiders greatly improved in the offseason. They added loads of talent to a defense that ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in most categories last season. They gave quarterback Derek Carr several dynamic weapons to work with and hope they'll be able to create some playoff magic in their inaugural season in Las Vegas.
The Raiders' path the playoffs became clear Thursday when the NFL schedule was released. If the Silver and Black plan to snap their postseason drought, they will have to take home Ws in five key games.
Week 1 at Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are breaking in a new coach, a new offense and have to totally remake their defense.
They added Teddy Bridgewater and Robby Anderson to make the tank less apparent, but the Raiders are the better overall team. They can't open up the season with a loss to an inferior opponent if they hope to make the playoffs.
Losses to the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars ended their playoff hopes a year ago. The Raiders have to take care of business in Carolina to open the season.
Week 9 at Los Angeles Chargers
The Raiders went 2-0 against the Chargers last season, thanks to poor play from Philip Rivers. The aging gunslinger found a new home, but the Raiders still need to walk into a silver and black-clad SoFi Stadium and and get a win in Week 9.
With wins in Kansas City and at Denver unlikely until Carr shows he can win in the cold, the Raiders need this divisional win.
The Chargers have a loaded roster, but quarterback play could hamper them and the Raiders need to take advantage.
Week 10 vs. Denver Broncos
The Raiders fell to Drew Lock in Week 17 last year to cap off their collapse.
The Broncos' offense has more weapons and that defense, when healthy, is damn good. But Allegiant Stadium should be rocking for its first AFC West showdown and the Raiders have to knock off a team they likely will be competing against for a playoff spot.
Even with the added playoff spot, it could come down to a tie-breaker so this is a must-win for Jon Gruden's club.
Week 13 at New York Jets
OK, let's try this one again, shall we?
The Jets are pesky, no doubt. Sam Darnold has arm talent but not a ton of weapons. Gang Green's defense is nothing that can't be cracked.
The Raiders can't go into MetLife Stadium and take another late-season loss to an inferior opponent. Yes, West Coast teams going east normally struggle. I do not care.
You have to beat the teams you are better than.
[RELATED: Predicting Raiders' wins, losses for each 2020 game]
Week 16 vs. Miami Dolphins
The Raiders have three of their last four games at home. That's nice. But they finish at Denver again.
Making the Las Vegas finale all the more important.
Rookie Tua Tagovailoa will have found his footing by the end of his first season, but the Dolphins still are in Phase 1 of a lengthy rebuild. The Raiders must finish out their first season in Las Vegas by giving Sin CIty something to cheer about.
A win here could make that Week 17 date in Denver less daunting.
"use" - Google News
May 09, 2020 at 11:45AM
https://ift.tt/2Lg4yjL
Could LA teams be forced to use Raiders' Vegas stadium? - NBCSports.com
"use" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2P05tHQ
https://ift.tt/2YCP29R
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Could LA teams be forced to use Raiders' Vegas stadium? - NBCSports.com"
Post a Comment