Las Vegas Raiders’ Last Season Performance
The Raiders’ 2021 season was highlighted by a number of off-the-field issues, which resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC West and a 10-7 record.
Las Vegas began the season strong, starting 3-0 behind head coach Jon Gruden. Things took a turn, however, over the next couple of weeks, as the Raiders fell in their next two games and Gruden resigned after emails he sent to a Washington exec were leaked during the Dan Snyder case. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia then took over as interim head coach.
The Raiders got back on track with two wins after Bisaccia took over, putting them at 5-2. The team ran into more issues beginning in its bye week. Former 2020 first-round wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was released following his involvement in a fatal car crash, which was the result of his allegedly driving under the influence. Not long after, another 2020 first-round pick was released. Cornerback Damon Arnette was cut after a video surfaced of him making death threats with a gun. Cornerback Nate Hobbs was also arrested for allegedly driving under the influence following the Raiders’ final regular-season game, a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Despite the off-the-field antics, Las Vegas made it into the playoffs behind Bisaccia’s lead. However, the team fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 26-19 in the Wild-Card round, and the 2021 season will more likely be remembered for what happened off the football field.
Las Vegas Raiders Key Additions
The Raiders made big upgrades to their roster, starting with their wide receiver room. Las Vegas added Davante Adams through a trade with Green Bay, sending the Packers picks in return. Adams was a top contributor for the Packers for years, leading the team with 123 receptions for 1,553 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago.
The Raiders also signed wide receivers Mack Hollins, Demarcus Robinson and Keelan Cole to one-year deals, while running backs Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abullah joined on two- and one-year deals respectively.
Another major signing for Vegas was defensive end Chandler Jones, who joined the team in free agency on a three-year contract. Jones is coming off a 2021 season in which he led the Cardinals with 12 tackles for loss and was second on the team with 10.5 sacks.
Also joining the defense is defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, who signed a two-year deal, cornerback Anthony Averett, who signed a one-year deal with the team, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who the Raiders acquired in a trade.
Las Vegas Raiders Key Subtractions
While the Raiders built up their roster in the offseason, they also let a few players go. To trade for Ya-Sin, Las Vegas sent defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to Indianapolis. Ngakoue was on the Raiders for one season, where he tallied 10 sacks and 28 total tackles.
Cornerback Casey Hayward was another notable player Vegas let walk in free agency. Hayward finished the 2021 season second in passes defended with nine, recording 46 total tackles and grabbing an interception as well.
Other losses on the defensive side include linebackers Carl Nassib, Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski and K.J. Wright, cornerback Brandon Facyson and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.
On offense, the Raiders let running back Peyton Barber, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota and wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Zay Jones walk.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Analysis
After Gruden resigned, Bisaccia took over as interim head coach, leading the Raiders on a four-game win streak to close out the season and make the playoffs. Despite Bisaccia leading Vegas to success in spite of all that went on off the field, the Raiders went in a different direction, hiring Josh McDaniels as their head coach.
McDaniels joins Las Vegas after spending 18 years with the New England Patriots, which included 13 seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator. During his time as New England’s OC, he led the Patriots offense to a top-10 finish eight times and a No. 1 ranked offense three times. He was also part of six Super Bowl championships.
The Raiders won’t be the first team McDaniels has been the head coach of; he coached the Denver Broncos from 2009-10. During his first season with the Broncos, McDaniels led the team to a 6-0 start, the third-best start by a rookie head coach.
McDaniels is one of many head coaches taking over for a new team this season, and his offensive experience should help keep the Raiders competitive in a tough division.
Las Vegas Raiders Injured Players at the Beginning of the Season
Las Vegas had a few players finish out the season on injured reserve, including running back Kenyan Drake and cornerback Trayvon Mullen. While Drake had an ankle injury that sidelined him at the end of the season, Mullen suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss all but five games a season ago. Both players appear to be ready for the upcoming season, as Mullen had offseason surgery and Drake returned during training camp.
While a few other players also closed out the season on IR, they are now either retired or found other teams.
The Raiders, though, do have a few players who will begin the season injured. Linebacker Micah Kiser and cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc were both placed on injured reserve while running back Josh Jacobs is questionable for Week 1 due to an undisclosed injury.
Las Vegas Raiders Offense
The Raiders’ offense automatically gets an upgrade with the addition of the offensive-minded coach in McDaniels and one of the best receivers in the game in Adams.
One of the reasons Adams chose Vegas was because of quarterback Derek Carr, his college teammate, and their established chemistry should prove to be an advantage. Carr will also have wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller to toss the ball to, along with the new signees. Renfrow led the team last season in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, finishing with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Raiders also return talent in the running back room with Jacobs and Drake. Jacobs led the team in rushing in 2021, racking up 217 rushes for 872 yards and nine touchdowns while Drake will look to make an impact after injuries kept him out the back half of last season. Las Vegas also drafted running back Zamir White, who brings added depth and talent to the group.
While the Raiders appear to have plenty of weapons, their offensive line needs could cause issues after allowing 40 sacks a season ago. However, McDaniels’ offensive savvy should help in that department as well.
Las Vegas Raiders Defense
Las Vegas had an average defense last season, finishing in the middle of the pack in both passing and rushing yards allowed per game. The defense upgraded in the front with the addition of Jones, and while the Raiders lost Hayward and Facyson in the secondary, the new additions should help.
Along with Jones and Nichols on the front, the Raiders have defensive end Maxx Crosby, who finished with eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season. Linebacker Denzel Perryman is also coming off his best year in which he recorded 154 total tackles to lead the team.
In the secondary, the Raiders will return safeties Johnathan Abram and Tre’von Moehrig. Abram finished 2021 with 116 total tackles, one interception and four passes defended while Moehrig recorded six passes defended, one interception and 55 total tackles. Mullen, Hobbs and Amik Robertson will return for the cornerbacks.
The defense should cause some issues up front with the pass rushing duo the Raiders have in Jones and Crosby, but after Vegas finished 2021 with six interceptions for last in the league, the team should hope to see an improvement.
Las Vegas Raiders Special Teams
The Raiders had one of the better special teams units in 2021, particularly in kicking and punting. However, with Bisaccia now a special teams coordinator for the Packers, Las Vegas found a new coordinator in Tom McMahon.
McMahon appears to be the only new one to join the group, as the Raiders will return their kicker, punter and most of their returners for the upcoming season.
Kicker Daniel Carlson finished 2021 going 40-for-43 on field goals, including five game-winners, and 30-for-33 on extra points, while punter A.J. Cole had a net average punting yardage of 42.5 yards.
Drake and wide receiver Tyron Johnson took a fair share of kick returns, averaging 19.2 and 19.5 yards per kick return respectively, while Renfrow handled most of the punt returns, averaging 9.8 yards per punt return. All players return for the upcoming season.
Running back Jalen Richard also returned many of the Raiders’ kick returns, averaging 20.6 yards per return, however Las Vegas let him walk at the conclusion of the season.
With many of the same players returning to the squad, the special teams looks to be another solid unit for the Raiders once again.
Las Vegas Raiders Prediction for the 2022 Season
The 2021 season was a tumultuous one for the Raiders, and the team had to overcome adversity off the football field to make it to the playoffs, where Las Vegas fell in the Wild-Card round.
The Raiders loaded up in the offseason, adding a star player to both their offense and defense in hopes of making it back to the playoffs once more. However, Las Vegas wasn’t the only team to make moves in its division.
The AFC West will bring tough competition yet again, and with a new head coach finding his footing, it will be hard to compete with some of the more established teams. The Raiders should look to compete with the Broncos for third place in the West.
Las Vegas Raiders Final Thoughts
Adams leaving Green Bay and heading to Las Vegas was one of the most talked about moves of the offseason. Bringing his production to Sin City and reuniting with his college teammate, Adams should have an immediate impact on the roster, even with Waller and Renfrow already putting up strong numbers.
While Adams improves the offense, the addition of Jones to the defense should help the front seven create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With Jones and Crosby teaming up, the Raiders should see an increase in sack production in the coming seasons.
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Las Vegas Raiders FAQs
When did the Raiders move to Las Vegas?
The Raiders had their first game in Las Vegas in 2020.
Why did the Raiders move from Oakland to Vegas?
The NFL decided that Oakland’s stadium wasn’t fit for NFL football, and when the city brought a new stadium proposal to the league, it was rejected. Las Vegas then offered public funds to build a stadium for the team, resulting in the move.
Who owns the Raiders?
Mark Davis is the majority owner of the Raiders
How many Super Bowls have the Raiders won?
The Raiders have won three Super Bowls, in 1977, 1981 and 1984.
