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Predict the 2026 record - your realistic expectations
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2026 7:39 pm
by 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.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 9:44 am
by Hawkeyes
20-0.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:04 am
by raidersince63
The defense should be markedly better which alone, might result in a couple more wins this year.
And though they could be a little better, I think the WRs we currently have will be just fine.
But IMO, the key will be just how good our running game will be with our rebuilt OL. We now have a solid 1-2 punch with Jeanty and Washington who are probably the best duo in the division. If they are as good as I believe, they will take a lot of pressure off our passing game, and should equate to much greater time of possession, which in turn means our defense won't be almost gassed by half time.
Denver will still be good, but the Chargers you just never know which version of them will show up from game to game. And I know some will disagree, but KC is simply not the imposing squad they were 2-3 years ago. Kelce is no longer as productIve as he once was and I don't believe Kermit the Frog will be either.
I don't bet on things that I cannot control but if were to do so, I'd say we finish either 8-9 or 9-8 (2nd or 3rd in the division) and see us improving more and more as the season goes on...and watch out for the Raiders in 2027.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:12 am
by Opoponax50
haji81872 wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 9:41 am
My high expectation is that I am able to watch an entire game.
Yeah. Up until the last few years I always watched the game until the end regardless of score. But I've tuned out as early as halftime since then.
Anyway, 7-9 wins is my expectation. A good coaching staff should usually be able to turn a loser into a competitive team pretty quickly. It's what comes after that really matters with respect to long term success--whether they can improve on the improvement.
There is talent on this team. I don't think any team in the league would've looked good with last year's coaching staff no matter how talented the players, so I'd like to see this new staff be able to make better than average progress.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:22 am
by BoJacksonRules
haji81872 wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 9:41 am
My high expectation is that I am able to watch an entire game.
Indeed, last year was the first time ever that I turned a game off at halftime.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:35 am
by Viper
GoodTimeCharlie wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 12:52 am
No expectations. I would just like to enjoy watching my team play once again. Really enjoy it. Put the entire schedule in my calendar app level of enjoyment. I haven’t actually planned to watch a Raider game outside of the first 2 or 3 weeks since before calendar apps even existed. Or even f’n “smart” phones for that matter.
Used to be an every Sunday event. Raider beer cozies out. Coffee table littered with chips, salsa, and guacamole. Carne Asada, bbq chicken, or New York Strips waitin’ for the grill. Friends hootin’ and hollerin’. Man, …a long long time ago.
It will definitely be different nowadays. Wives and kids. F’n Uber!!! It won’t be the same level of mad testosterone and chaos, but I don’t mind that. It would be like when I was much much younger. When the loudest people in the house were Dads and Uncles. I’d f’n love it.
There’s a lot lost when your team sucks for 3+ decades. I sure as hell hope we all get a chance to have football be like it was growing up. When every Raider game was a holiday. Family, friends, good food, good fun, just good f’n times.
Let’s f[raiders_icon]cking go Mendo.
Let’s f[raiders_icon]cking go Raiders.
This post brought back memories. Growing up in Oakland, there were literally block parties and we as kids would roam our neighborhood just having a blast. Banners and flags out, barbecues for blocks. It was a magical time being a Raider fan and kid living there, especially with the fact that we all expected the team to win, no matter the opponent. As a kid, it was more fun than a day at Disneyland, and I’ve been there plenty. And if we lost, you could feel it for days.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:36 am
by Cruisin with Tooz
Cousins is going to start the season, and I think the team will be very competitive.
8-9 WINS if we stay healthy.
3-3 in the division, esp if we play KC early.
We should be favored vs Ten, Cle, Mia, NYJ, Ari & NO.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 12:03 pm
by SkullCrusher
I feel there is a chance for a nice surprise.
I like the overall modern feel of the staff.
There are key parts that could be massively improved that changes everything.
Looking for progress that projects well.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 12:08 pm
by Rabidraider
With the exact same team as last year I think this coaching staff could squeeze a couple more wins.
With the new players and coaching staff add a couple more wins.
I'm thinking 6-7 wins realistically.
If everything gels perfectly anything can happen. Look at Chicago last year.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 12:37 pm
by RN4L75
Realistically??? This team we have now beats the Donks twice if we were to put them in the games last season. The same Donks that had the #1 seed, they really were a shit offense that scored just enough for the defense to win the game. 9-10 wins is what I am thinking. I mean we see a worst to first team almost every season. Why not us?
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 1:31 pm
by Attyla
For what it is worth, Tim Brown said this is the best offseason we have had dating back to 1988. I don't think he is entirely correct and I don't hold Brown's opinions as indisputable. We have no real idea how the coaches are going to do, we have hope that they do their jobs well, but you never know how things are going to flesh out until you see the product on the field.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 7:23 pm
by GoodTimeCharlie
Viper wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 11:35 am
This post brought back memories. Growing up in Oakland, there were literally block parties and we as kids would roam our neighborhood just having a blast. Banners and flags out, barbecues for blocks. It was a magical time being a Raider fan and kid living there, especially with the fact that we all expected the team to win, no matter the opponent. As a kid, it was more fun than a day at Disneyland, and I’ve been there plenty. And if we lost, you could feel it for days.
No shit? I was an Alameda County boy too. First game without a parent was with me and a neighborhood buddy at 8 years old taking BART.
And yeah, amazing how much it affected everything around you. We were so use to winning. At the very least, being part of it all. Raiders and winning was “in-the-bones”. Sewn into the fabric of daily life. Kept everyone’s head up.
Different times man.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 7:43 pm
by raiders93
We’ve got a tough division and a tough schedule. If you include the chiefs I think we’ve got 11 playoff teams on our schedule. Less concerned about wins and losses. Lots of times year 1 isn’t particularly remarkable in terms of wins… but you can definitely get a sense of a team on the cusp. A team 1 more good offseason away from being a playoff threat.
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 7:47 pm
by Viper
GoodTimeCharlie wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 7:23 pm
No shit? I was an Alameda County boy too. First game without a parent was with me and a neighborhood buddy at 8 years old taking BART.
And yeah, amazing how much it affected everything around you. We were so use to winning. At the very least, being part of it all. Raiders and winning was “in-the-bones”. Sewn into the fabric of daily life. Kept everyone’s head up.
Different times man.
I knew there was a reason I liked you haha
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Fri May 01, 2026 10:39 am
by ALLRAIDERWORLD21
Re: Realistic expectations for the season
Posted: Fri May 01, 2026 11:24 am
by raiderjohn
Attyla wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 1:31 pm
For what it is worth, Tim Brown said this is the best offseason we have had dating back to 1988. I don't think he is entirely correct and I don't hold Brown's opinions as indisputable. We have no real idea how the coaches are going to do, we have hope that they do their jobs well, but you never know how things are going to flesh out until you see the product on the field.
1988 was the offseason we drafted him. We collected 3 first rounders for the '88 draft and parlayed that into Terry McDaniel, and Scott Davis.