What does a winning season for the Raiders look like?
The Raiders have undergone a complete transformation under Josh McDaniels, who together with general manager Dave Ziegler assembled a team that had 14 players that were signed before January 2022.
However, the club won’t have any concrete expectations from the second-year coach. if not in public.
When asked how he would measure success in 2023, McDaniels responded, “We’re not looking at the entire season in totality.” It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to prepare for every game they play, but that’s what we’re going to aim for, one week at a time.
“I think our team understands that goal, and we will prepare as hard as we can for the opponent to give ourselves the best chance to perform well.” We’re working really hard at it. This week, our boys are getting ready properly, and we’ll see how we perform.
Given their position in the powerful AFC, which is home to the majority of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks and, thus, the majority of the top teams, a postseason spot is not necessary for the Raiders to have a good season.
However, McDaniels, who is 17-28 in his three seasons as a coach and has not made it to the postseason, is making discernible improvement.
Only three NFL coaches with previous head coaching experience have a worse winning % than McDaniels’.378: Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears, Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints, and Robert Saleh of the New York Jets.
When asked about the Raiders’ ambitions, All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs replied, “Since I’ve been here, I’ve only had one winning season.”
“Winning is my primary goal for this year.”
For McDaniels, winning is the most apparent goal and the best indicator of progress for a club that finished 6-11 in 2022 as opposed to 10-7 and a postseason spot in 2021. The NFL’s margin of error was evident in their nine defeats and four victories from the previous season, which were all by a single touchdown.
or its absence.
One factor contributing to the mishandling of the tight games was the quarterback’s lack of connection with former colleague Derek Carr. Jimmy Garoppolo, who will replace him, played for the New England Patriots for more than three years under McDaniels.
In close games, their consistency may undoubtedly spur progress.
Garoppolo will have to strengthen an offense that under Carr has long been struggling, finishing last season 12th in yards (352.5), 26th in red-zone conversion rate (48.2 percent), and 11th of 32 in scoring.
Given the return of four offensive line starters, the presence of Jacobs, fellow All-Pro Davante Adams, and a group of complementary pass catchers that includes free-agent acquisition Jakobi Meyers, who has been New England’s top receiver the last three seasons, and former Pro Bowl slot receiver Hunter Renfrow, it is reasonable to expect a more efficient offense.
Tre Tucker, a rookie, and veteran DeAndre Carter both offer speed and flexibility.
“A group of guys that have a genuine understanding of opening up. Not only stating that,” Meyers remarked. “They each have a unique set of knowledge. They are skilled at causing division. Be able to catch the ball. When they catch it, run with it. Many talented receivers are present in the room.
Given that they can’t give up much more distance, the Raiders defense under coordinator Patrick Graham stands to gain even more ground.
In 2022, they were among the poorest in the NFL once more, coming in at number 26 in scoring (24.6 points allowed per game), number 27 in yards (365.5), and number 31 in red-zone conversion percentage (66 percent).
The Raiders’ failure to pressure quarterbacks continues to be the root problem; in the previous season, they ranked 30th with an average of 1.6 sacks per game. Maxx Crosby, an All-Pro defensive end, is still one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, but Tyree Wilson’s selection with the seventh overall choice in the April draft shows how important it is to develop auxiliary pass rushers.
Regardless of their linebackers and secondary, which are strengthened this season by the addition of free-agent linebacker Robert Spillane and defensive backs Marcus Epps and Marcus Peters, the Raiders will struggle defensively in the absence of a strong rush.
