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.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

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….

I agree it seemed like the games were fairly close mid way through the 2nd qtr the the D would give up a huge sustained drive to end the half taking the air out of the team. Then give up a long 8-10 minute drive to open the 3rd with our opponent mostly just pound it down our throats at will not needing to throw down the field. Giving up a few 3rd and very long situations along the way.
The O did nobody any favors but the D was awful as well

[raidersince63]

I don't believe there's a coach out there who would call off the dogs and pull his first stringers after only 1 quarter...after the 3rd quarter?...yes.

[SkullCrusher]

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.

Is it possible to have known good depth when you are a bad team?
I think perceived good depth can only be achieved when you become a good team and they get the opportunity to play.

I bet our depth is pretty average for the league overall and probably a small group of teams have really good depth.
Depth looks good on a good team because that depth gets to play next to known good players.
It's a snowball thingy.

[mranquales]

I think we'll be well coached. However, our defense won't be able to stop the run and without Mendoza at QB we have no chance at being .500.

[Cruisin with Tooz]

7-10.

[charlieinblack]

i think expectations all around are so low this season a couple of wins, a high draft pick and the new promise this quarterback choice this time will be the one, and with the highlander reboot that will be the buzzword, is where we'll be come halloween.

[Loftyraider]

Being realistic, I'm hoping for 5 wins, being way more competitive than last season; and hopefully creating an identity. Next season is when I'd expect us to be far closer to play-off contention

[heavyD]

I'm thinking 6-11 with 5 wins being the floor and 8 wins being the ceiling.

[raiderboyron]

My real expectation is they hang around 5-7 wins and not be broadcast in my neck of the woods ( literally... I live in the woods). Since they don't provide game day excitement Chico channels get to bypass them. Local bias for the 9ers too. Stinks.

[mstrbass2000]

[raidersince63]

Just think, if we had scored just 3-4 more points in 4 separate games last year, that alone would've given us 4 more wins.

Missed FG and XP and failed 2 point conversion didn't help either.

[Cruisin with Tooz]

Thank god pola mao isnt starting.

[Sold My Soul]

6 wins on a well coached team equals 6 wins with a shit coached team. Right?

6 wins is 6 wins.

[Pseudoscot]

My expectations are about how we play and not the results.

I expect us to:

Be better coached (a low bar)
Play with intensity for all 4 quarters against all opponents
Score more points (also a low bar)
Have an oline that is, at the very least, functional
Give away less stupid pre-snap penalties (A man can dream)
Miss less tackles
Be harder to beat

Defense - We are clearly a work in progress with some glaring holes in certain positions. Opposing teams will absolutely target these areas and it'll be ugly at times. On paper, opponents can either exploit our weakness in defending the run or the pass. I'd be happy if we can shore up one of these areas to be below average.

Offense - I expect us to rely heavily on the run game which should be much improved from last year (interior oline needs to reach its potential). Passing game will likely be hit and miss but I want a couple of the receivers to show they can be useful pieces moving forward.

Special Teams - We are still looking for a reliable weapon on kick and punt returns. I don't expect that to change. The kicker situation worries me but punting should continue to be one of the best in the league.

Final Thoughts - I want to see upward progress. We are at the start of a rebuild and it won't be pretty but there should be signs we are heading in the right direction, particularly in terms of mental toughness. I expect us to be harder to beat and not be bullied by better teams (although we will still likely lose a lot of games). I hope to see that we can actually develop young players, draft picks becoming better players over the course of the season. I don't expect the W/L record to be much better than last year, maybe 2-3 more wins but I want every team to know that they will have to work hard to earn a win against us.

[powski]

My expectations are about how we play and not the results.

I expect us to:

Be better coached (a low bar)
Play with intensity for all 4 quarters against all opponents
Score more points (also a low bar)
Have an oline that is, at the very least, functional
Give away less stupid pre-snap penalties (A man can dream)
Miss less tackles
Be harder to beat

Defense - We are clearly a work in progress with some glaring holes in certain positions. Opposing teams will absolutely target these areas and it'll be ugly at times. On paper, opponents can either exploit our weakness in defending the run or the pass. I'd be happy if we can shore up one of these areas to be below average.

Offense - I expect us to rely heavily on the run game which should be much improved from last year (interior oline needs to reach its potential). Passing game will likely be hit and miss but I want a couple of the receivers to show they can be useful pieces moving forward.

Special Teams - We are still looking for a reliable weapon on kick and punt returns. I don't expect that to change. The kicker situation worries me but punting should continue to be one of the best in the league.

Final Thoughts - I want to see upward progress. We are at the start of a rebuild and it won't be pretty but there should be signs we are heading in the right direction, particularly in terms of mental toughness. I expect us to be harder to beat and not be bullied by better teams (although we will still likely lose a lot of games). I hope to see that we can actually develop young players, draft picks becoming better players over the course of the season. I don't expect the W/L record to be much better than last year, maybe 2-3 more wins but I want every team to know that they will have to work hard to earn a win against us.

I like and agree with this. I think we're pointed the right direction but not there yet. There are going to be clunkers along the way (as almost all teams will too) and people will overreact and think we are f[raiders_icon]cked because of it. Not reasonable, but natural to overreact to them. Those will be an important part of the growing process too, even though I don't want them to happen.