This was far from where the Las Vegas Raiders expected to be in the season, but they are here now.
On Sunday, the Raiders face off with the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium in a game with serious draft implications.
The Raiders and Giants have been locked into seasons of futility, and the history this matchup makes confirms that. It is the first time in NFL history that two teams on nine-game losing streaks are facing off, and the first time in 44 years that the teams with the two worst records in the league are squaring off in the final two weeks of the season. The fanbases may be cheering for the opposite teams to win, but neither will be rolling over despite the stakes at play.
The Raiders will be aiming to build for the future, so they will be looking at certain aspects to head into the offseason with.
A world of uncertainty
If the Raiders wanted to sidestep the tanking allegations, they are not making it easy with their latest roster moves.
Brock Bowers and Jeremy Chinn were both placed on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday, leaving the Raiders without their top receiver and one of their best tacklers. The team will also be without Maxx Crosby, who was placed on injured reserve on Saturday and reportedly stormed out of the team facility in disagreement. With the Raiders now facing a situation where trading the face of their franchise is a real possibility, they will be looking to see what they can build on if a full-scale rebuild is inevitable.
Run it back
In a game where the Raiders were expected to sputter offensively against the elite Houston Texans defense, Ashton Jeanty did not make it easy.
Jeanty is coming off the best game of his young career, producing 188 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against the Texans. With Bowers out and the Giants posing much less of a threat in run defense, there is no reason why the sixth overall pick should not be the focal point of the Raiders offense. Finishing strong would do wonders for Jeanty’s confidence, and all but confirm that the Raiders get at least one silver lining in what has been a dismal season.
Just get one
First overall pick be damned, Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka will be pushing to finally get rid of the goose egg on his win column.
While the results have not come on the field, Kafka has at least tried to establish accountability in the locker room and set up a culture of success. He will almost certainly not be the full-time coach for the Giants next season, but getting a win and looking good in the process will do well for his NFL future. Expect him to be fired up as he hopes to make good on his best opportunity to notch his first career win as a head coach.
