Predict the 2026 record - your realistic expectations

[Viper]

With Mendoza needing time to adjust, an unproven O line and what I consider average receivers, I’m not really expecting to light it up on offense.

Defensively, we should be at least middle of the pack. That should go a long ways in helping stack wins.

Having said that, we are improved across the board yet still more work to do. I would predict we have 6 wins this year, double what we had last year. If Pete can manage 3 last year, I have faith with a better coaching staff we can do better. If we can beat the teams we’re supposed to plus staying close in the 4th quarter against better talent, we have a punchers chance in some of those.

Personally, at least another year or two to make some real noise if we nail FA and the draft.

[mstrbass2000]

EXACTLY!
The tank started when Tom Brady came aboard.
Tom Brady’s bid to buy a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders was officially approved by NFL owners on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Pete Carroll was officially hired as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, January 25, 2025

Brady had 3 months to workout the plan with everyone. Get the kinks out. Lol

the diabolical plan to tank...engaged !!!

[mstrbass2000]

AI didn’t by chance mention the years we would win the Super Bowls, did it?? I’m just trying to figure out if I can live that long. Anything longer than 10 years is getting dicey on my end.

10 yrs is a lifetime lol ...you will definitely see the raiders lift the lombardi again
ps im in the same boat

[Viper]

10 yrs is a lifetime lol ...you will definitely see the raiders lift the lombardi again
ps im in the same boat

I’m starting to think I should have started this thread with “Unrealistic Expectations “ haha

[mstrbass2000]

I’m starting to think I should have started this thread with “Unrealistic Expectations “ haha

all we got is hope, might as well shoot for the stars lol

[Viper]

I expect a better O line, Jeanty to have 1,200 yards, Bowers 900 yards, low 50’s in sacks allowed, a reduction in penalties against us and Mendoza to start more games and better numbers than Cousins. I don’t think that’s unrealistic.

[mstrbass2000]

jeanty 1200 total yds, 10 tds,fernando 3800 yds,28 tds,bower 950 yds 6 tds, nailor 800 yds 7 tds

[SkullCrusher]

I expect a better O line, Jeanty to have 1,200 yards, Bowers 900 yards, low 50’s in sacks allowed, a reduction in penalties against us and Mendoza to start more games and better numbers than Cousins. I don’t think that’s unrealistic.

IMO that would be a disaster giving up low 50's sacks, that would rank 7th worst last year. We need to get that in the 30's.

[Viper]

IMO that would be a disaster giving up low 50's sacks, that would rank 7th worst last year. We need to get that in the 30's.

I’m not certain but I believe we gave up mid 60’s last year. You’re not wrong but I’m just trying to be realistic with how many unknowns there are with regards to our O line.
I also think sacks allowed by us in the 30’s would put us at minimum mid pack of teams, if not higher percentage. I just don’t think we can confidently say we are even mid level without proof on the field. Giving up 20 percent less sacks would be considered a baby step in the right direction year one of our rebuild imo. Having said that, I cannot disagree with you that it’s too many to give up in a year.

[raidersince63]

IMO that would be a disaster giving up low 50's sacks, that would rank 7th worst last year. We need to get that in the 30's.

Yup, and I believe that if our running game will be as successful as we hope, (we were next to last in rushing attempts last year) it should be obvious that conversely, there will be fewer passing attempts, resulting in fewer sacks.

And not for nothing, but Mendoza bolstered with a solid running attack at Indiana, averaged only 23.6 pass attempts per game last year. If the Raiders get anywhere near that total, we will be that much closer to where we all want this team to be.

[BoKnows81]

Not having Geno Smith or Aidan O'Connell at QB is easily going to significantly lessen our sacks given up. That's the stuff that people fail to realize. Staring down the WRs, constant turnovers, having cement feet and holding on to the ball too long will make the O line look much worse than they really are. Btw I'm not taking blame off the O line. I know they were awful.

[raidersince63]

Our OL absolutely sucked last year which most everybody here has pointed out many times. It was so bad that our running game was the very worst in the league (a pathetic 77 yards per game)...and that is not the fault of any QB but it does have a direct effect on the passing game ...again, our OL could neither create holes nor protect the QB.

It has also been pointed out by virtually everyone that if the OL is not much better this year, Cousins/Mendoza or whoever, will take a beating.

[Attyla]

Not having Geno Smith or Aidan O'Connell at QB is easily going to significantly lessen our sacks given up. That's the stuff that people fail to realize. Staring down the WRs, constant turnovers and holding on to the ball too long will make the O line look much worse than they really are (btw I'm not taking blame off the O line).

Working under center also helps the run game. I don't really project expectations because the season is so unpredictable but Cousins is comfortable under center and they are working on Mendoza being under center. If O'Connell is back he can and does as well. The trade off is that you are much closer to defenders to start the play. But our improvements on the line should assist there so the trade off may be a moot point.

[Viper]

Working under center also helps the run game. I don't really project expectations because the season is so unpredictable but Cousins is comfortable under center and they are working on Mendoza being under center. If O'Connell is back he can and does as well. The trade off is that you are much closer to defenders to start the play. But our improvements on the line should assist there so the trade off may be a moot point.

Linderbaum is a definite upgrade and his communication on the line is going to be crucial. I’m not convinced Miller isn’t on the decline and the rest are unproven in my book.
I’m not too concerned about Mendoza playing under center but it’s a necessity. I have much more confidence in him honing his skills than I do in the line, honestly.
Our run game has also improved and it’s not just on Jeanty’s shoulders anymore. He’s not the short yardage power back we’ve been lacking.
Play calling and being unpredictable is not mentioned enough, either. We need the killer mentality when we have the lead, especially in the second half of games. No more run on first and second downs and needing to pass on third and long which goes back to being predictable. I really expect many aspects of our game to improve with the new coaching staff.

[Attyla]

Linderbaum is a definite upgrade and his communication on the line is going to be crucial. I’m not convinced Miller isn’t on the decline and the rest are unproven in my book.
I’m not too concerned about Mendoza playing under center but it’s a necessity. I have much more confidence in him honing his skills than I do in the line, honestly.
Our run game has also improved and it’s not just on Jeanty’s shoulders anymore. He’s not the short yardage power back we’ve been lacking.
Play calling and being unpredictable is not mentioned enough, either. We need the killer mentality when we have the lead, especially in the second half of games. No more run on first and second downs and needing to pass on third and long which goes back to being predictable. I really expect many aspects of our game to improve with the new coaching staff.

It is really interesting when I read stuff like this. I think the run run pass scenario gets overplayed a lot. We actually were one of the highest pass play offenses in the league. Like we were fourth overall passing percentage wise. Part of that is playing from behind a lot but the stats don't lie. We were passing more on first and second down than people seem to credit the team for. Ironically, teams that had the most balance pass vs run had some of the most success. Including the world champs who also were far more likely to run run pass than we were. I believe that being creative in your offense has more to do with execution than most anything else. Knowing a team is going to run on first down and executing that run in such a way that you have success is the name of the game. It is why I am really excited to see Mendoza work, because even on obvious pass plays he throws an almost unstoppable back shoulder pass.

[Viper]

It is really interesting when I read stuff like this. I think the run run pass scenario gets overplayed a lot. We actually were one of the highest pass play offenses in the league. Like we were fourth overall passing percentage wise. Part of that is playing from behind a lot but the stats don't lie. We were passing more on first and second down than people seem to credit the team for. Ironically, teams that had the most balance pass vs run had some of the most success. Including the world champs who also were far more likely to run run pass than we were. I believe that being creative in your offense has more to do with execution than most anything else. Knowing a team is going to run on first down and executing that run in such a way that you have success is the name of the game. It is why I am really excited to see Mendoza work, because even on obvious pass plays he throws an almost unstoppable back shoulder pass.

My post refers more to having a lead and being predictable and letting off the gas.

There is something to be said about imposing your will. Coaching in high school, we told the kids we didn’t care if the defense knew the play beforehand because if we were good at what we did, it didn’t matter.