At no point was the gap between the Las Vegas Raiders and their AFC West rivals more clear than last season.
The Kansas City Chiefs have continued to dominate the division, but the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos made significant strides in 2024 to snatch playoff berths. The Raiders, meanwhile, were stuck in the mud due to inconsistent quarterback play and a litany of issues around the roster. However, the hirings of new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, as well as wholesale improvements to the roster, suggest a new dawn is approaching.
Analyst Rich Eisen spoke on his show about his excitement about where the Raiders can go with proven winners now at the helm.
Eisen explained how one of the NFL’s biggest brands being good can elevate the league as a whole.
Despite the challenges the AFC West is certain to provide, Eisen has faith that the Raiders can put themselves back on track and bring back their once-esteemed winning culture.
“The Raiders being good is good for the National Football League,” Eisen commented. “You ought to win as a pirate, let’s go. I’m really fired up. The AFC West is going to be lit, and the Raiders being good is good for business, just good for business.”
Of course, improvement is going to be much easier said than done for the Raiders.
Outside of the obvious competition within their division, the Raiders face challenging stretches at the beginning and end of the season, so they will need to get out to a fast start and prepare for a strong finish. The Raiders also face a significant rest disadvantage, so they will have to dig deep at multiple points throughout the season against well-rest opponents. However, the additions of the likes of quarterback Geno Smith and running back Ashton Jeanty, as well as the extension to pass rusher Maxx Crosby, guarantees that the team should be at least competitive.
Expectations are higher than usual in Las Vegas this season, so it is imperative that the first year of the Pete Carroll era is a good one.
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