For the most part, analysts have showered the Las Vegas Raiders with glowing praise.
Pete Carroll and John Spytek provide the Raiders with drastic upgrades at head coach and general manager, respectively. The decision to trade for Geno Smith in March should provide the Raiders with better quarterback play, and much of the work this offseason has been about improving the offense. With better luck and a clean bill of health, the Raiders theoretically should be a much better team than last year.
However, one analyst is not so convinced that the changes made this offseason are for the better.
One analyst is taking the under on the Raiders in 2025.
When discussing what bets he is placing on the Raiders for this season, CBS Sports’ R.J. White is taking the under on the projected 7.5 wins, as well as estimating that Smith will throw above 3575.5 yards.
“I came into the offseason wanting to like the Raiders after the additions of Pete Carroll and Geno Smith, but I just can’t get there. This was arguably the worst team in the league for most of the season with just two wins in its first 14 games, one on a miracle comeback against the Ravens and the other at home against the awful Browns in a close game,” White wrote.
“There hasn’t been enough of a talent upgrade anywhere besides quarterback and running back, and the latter is arguably one of the least impactful positions to take early in the draft. While Ashton Jeanty is an incredible talent, does having him give the team a better chance at stacking wins than having a legit No. 1 receiver like Tetairoa McMillan, a legitimate running mate for Maxx Crosby on the defensive line or a top-tier right tackle prospect that would’ve given Las Vegas one of the better tackle pairings in the league? I don’t think the combination of Jeanty, Smith and Carroll make the Raiders four wins better.”
Being so low on the Raiders directly plays into White’s other prop, where he expects Smith to hit the over on what Vegas predicts his passing yard total will be.
“I expect Vegas to be playing from behind a lot, and Carroll should have all the confidence in the world in Smith to throw downfield in those situations. Smith just needs to average 211 passing yards in 17 games to hit this Over, and he can get it done in 15 games by averaging 239 yards, which is below his range in his last three seasons,” White continued.
Whereas some analysts have a more optimistic approach to the Raiders this season, White’s take should fit in as the extreme outcome on the pessimistic side.
