Predict the 2026 record - your realistic expectations
- Viper
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Predict the 2026 record - your realistic expectations
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.
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.
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mstrbass2000
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- Oaktownonly
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Only prediction I'm making is that our offensive line will be better. Brennan Carroll was a buffoon. The wildcard here is the defense.
- SuperRaider
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I going to call it a 5-12 season….think the raiders will be bad the first half the season and start to really improve during the second half and like go 4-4…
- raidersince63
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I can see us finishing the last part of the season 4-4, but I also believe we'll start better than 1-8.SuperRaider wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2026 10:22 am I going to call it a 5-12 season….think the raiders will be bad the first half the season and start to really improve during the second half and like go 4-4…
I'm thinking 8-9 or 9-8 is possible, which would be a very good stepping stone to 2027 and beyond.
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- Opoponax50
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Still computing..
Maxx Crosby (29) – Returned as the defensive end.
Malcolm Koonce (28) – Returned as the starting edge rusher.
Adam Butler (32) – Returned as the defensive tackle.
Tonka Hemingway (24) – Returned to the defensive line.
Jeremy Chinn (28) – Returned to play his hybrid safety/nickel role in the secondary.
Isaiah Pola-Mao (26) – Returned to free safety.
Nakobe Dean (25) replaced Devin White (28) at inside linebacker.
Quay Walker (26) replaced Elandon Roberts (32) at linebacker.
Kwity Paye (27) replaced Tyree Wilson (26) at defensiveend.
Kwity Paye (27) will also absorbed the front-seven snaps left by hybrid box defender Jamal Adams (30).
Jermod McCoy (20) or Eric Stokes (27) replaced Kyu Blu Kelly (25) at boundary cornerback.
Taron Johnson (30) replaced Lonnie Johnson (30) at nickel cornerback.
Second string..
Patrick Johnson (28) – New backup at Defensive End.
Jonah Laulu (26) – Returning backup at Defensive Tackle.
Thomas Booker IV (26) – Returning backup at Defensive Tackle.
Tommy Eichenberg (25) – Returning backup at Linebacker.
Cody Lindenberg (24) – Returning backup at Linebacker.
Treydan Stukes (22) – New backup at Nickel Cornerback / Safety.
Tristin McCollum (27) – New backup at Free Safety.
Dalton Johnson (22) – New backup at Strong Safety.
Darrell Luter Jr. (26) waivers is a backup boundary cornerback.
And of course
Rob Leonard vs Patrick Graham
The Raiders definitely was surprisingly pretty good last year.
2025 defense:
Total Defense (Yards Allowed): 14th overall, surrendering an average of 317.8 yards per game.
Scoring Defense (Points Allowed): 25th overall, giving up 25.4 points per game.
Passing Defense: 14th overall, allowing 201 passing yards per game.
Maxx Crosby (29) – Returned as the defensive end.
Malcolm Koonce (28) – Returned as the starting edge rusher.
Adam Butler (32) – Returned as the defensive tackle.
Tonka Hemingway (24) – Returned to the defensive line.
Jeremy Chinn (28) – Returned to play his hybrid safety/nickel role in the secondary.
Isaiah Pola-Mao (26) – Returned to free safety.
Nakobe Dean (25) replaced Devin White (28) at inside linebacker.
Quay Walker (26) replaced Elandon Roberts (32) at linebacker.
Kwity Paye (27) replaced Tyree Wilson (26) at defensiveend.
Kwity Paye (27) will also absorbed the front-seven snaps left by hybrid box defender Jamal Adams (30).
Jermod McCoy (20) or Eric Stokes (27) replaced Kyu Blu Kelly (25) at boundary cornerback.
Taron Johnson (30) replaced Lonnie Johnson (30) at nickel cornerback.
Second string..
Patrick Johnson (28) – New backup at Defensive End.
Jonah Laulu (26) – Returning backup at Defensive Tackle.
Thomas Booker IV (26) – Returning backup at Defensive Tackle.
Tommy Eichenberg (25) – Returning backup at Linebacker.
Cody Lindenberg (24) – Returning backup at Linebacker.
Treydan Stukes (22) – New backup at Nickel Cornerback / Safety.
Tristin McCollum (27) – New backup at Free Safety.
Dalton Johnson (22) – New backup at Strong Safety.
Darrell Luter Jr. (26) waivers is a backup boundary cornerback.
And of course
Rob Leonard vs Patrick Graham
The Raiders definitely was surprisingly pretty good last year.
2025 defense:
Total Defense (Yards Allowed): 14th overall, surrendering an average of 317.8 yards per game.
Scoring Defense (Points Allowed): 25th overall, giving up 25.4 points per game.
Passing Defense: 14th overall, allowing 201 passing yards per game.
- Opoponax50
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I want to see us be tough. Like in Gruden's 1.0 season. We were never out of any game. That's what I want to see. If we finish with 5 wins but could've won another 3-4 without a poorly timed penalty or whatever, that'll be okay.raidersince63 wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2026 10:55 am I can see us finishing the last part of the season 4-4, but I also believe we'll start better than 1-8.
I'm thinking 8-9 or 9-8 is possible, which would be a very good stepping stone to 2027 and beyond.
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This year, look better on the field. Next year, look better in the record book.
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25th in points is pretty good overall? And anyone who watched knows we could have given up a lot more. Pass D doesn't grade horrible because teams didn't need to pass against us because the game was over in the 3rd qtr.KillerRaider30 wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2026 5:53 pm
The Raiders definitely was surprisingly pretty good last year.
2025 defense:
Total Defense (Yards Allowed): 14th overall, surrendering an average of 317.8 yards per game.
Scoring Defense (Points Allowed): 25th overall, giving up 25.4 points per game.
Passing Defense: 14th overall, allowing 201 passing yards per game.
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- raidersince63
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Last year's Raider defense spent more time on the field than any other team in the NFL...partly because the Raider's offense spent the least time on the field.
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Yeah it's hard to judge last years D, it's the same thing that happened in 2006.FLORIDARAYDAH wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2026 3:02 am 25th in points is pretty good overall? And anyone who watched knows we could have given up a lot more. Pass D doesn't grade horrible because teams didn't need to pass against us because the game was over in the 3rd qtr.
- Viper
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I would say mostly because the offense was so inept honestlyraidersince63 wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2026 4:51 am Last year's Raider defense spent more time on the field than any other team in the NFL...partly because the Raider's offense spent the least time on the field.
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- raidersince63
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Certainly...the offense's inability to sustain drives led to excessive FGs and FG attempts that could've/should've resulted in TDs. Also the Raiders were a -7 in the turnover differential.
- pfish57
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I think the season hinges on whether we have finally found some descent coaches...it really can't get worse
Then injuries next...our depth isn't good. With that said I don't have a clue as far as record goes.
- SuperRaider
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Does not really show explain the whole picture …the offense was terrible and some of the games were over after the first quarter; so if the game is already over; the other team offense just start playing the backup more and save their starters for next week game and also avoid injuries…..I think last season, about 4-6 games were over after end of the 1st quarter….KillerRaider30 wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2026 5:53 pm
And of course
Rob Leonard vs Patrick Graham
The Raiders definitely was surprisingly pretty good last year.
2025 defense:
Total Defense (Yards Allowed): 14th overall, surrendering an average of 317.8 yards per game.
Scoring Defense (Points Allowed): 25th overall, giving up 25.4 points per game.
Passing Defense: 14th overall, allowing 201 passing yards per game.
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