The Las Vegas Raiders come into the 2023-’24 season as one of this season’s big question marks. Dynamic changes team-wide have left fans, football junkies and the media at a chasm separating all of us from season-defining clarity, a sense of direction and worst of all – identity. 

Despite new faces at the helm – Josh McDaniels at Head Coach for his 2nd season in Vegas and Jimmy Garopollo in his 1st season of his 3rd team, a bevy of new ball carriers, defenders and linemen, the preseason games for this season have given us enough to close the gap of questions. In short, the Raiders are betting on themselves with house money. As you watch the beginning of their season, you may just believe they can pull it off. Here’s how:

Let’s jump into the first 4 games of the season, break a few points down of what to watch for and ultimately make some predictions. 

  • LV Raiders @ Denver Broncos 09/10  – Despite the fact that these were the 2 worst teams in the AFC West last season, the two teams have had different looks on both ends of the game in each game. The Raiders swept the series, but not without some comeback drama in both games. Now, each team has had a major overhaul, with some key additions for the Broncos making the game must see TV.
    • New HC Sean Payton brings his talent for defensive schemes to a team that, on paper, features one of the better defenses in the AFC. Led by Patrick Surtain and Randy Gregory, you bet Payton is going to test the IQ of the Raiders’ O-line and QB protection. The question is – will the defense perform the same without All Pro LB Bradley Chubb?
    • All Pro RB Josh Jacobs has his deal in place for the upcoming season, and Raiders fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The main question will be – who will show up in this new Raiders offense. With Devante Adams hampered by a leg injury during preseason practice and Jimmy Garopollo coming back from injury, the Raiders are going to need a little luck and some consistency from guys upfront like Kolton Miller to make the whole game easier to operate. JJ is questionable, but could sneak in this game.  
    • Final Score – 23-17 LV. This game might start in the trenches, but it’s going to be won in the air, but not just by the QB. Key distance FG’s from Daniel Carlson will not only keep the Raiders ahead, but also seal the deal in the AFC West 1st divisional game. 
  • LV Raiders @ Buffalo Bills 09/17 – Week 2 and all signs point to a difficult game for the Raiders. Las Vegas as a franchise has not had much success against the premier teams of the NFL, and Buffalo is no exception especially with the second game being on the road. History of Josh Allen vs McDaniels has shown that the numbers, weather, play and on-paper stats are on the side of the Bills. If you’re squeamish, do not watch this game.
    • There has been one key moment in which a McDaniels offense has outperformed Josh Allen, and that was a 14 to 10  win in a game at the beginning of December and which the Pats kept the ball to the ground game. It was ugly, it was a grind and there were plenty of mistakes. The Bills beat themselves that game. They will not do the same in such an early-season moment with all of the elements playing in Allen’s favor. 
    • One thing that has yet to manifest for the Raiders defense is a threat in the secondary. Yes, the Raiders feature monsters on defense in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but Nate Hobbs, Brandon Fayscon  and co have yet to show the AFC West that they’re not to be thrown against. 
    • FInal Score – 24 to 10 Buffalo. In a game of Josh v Josh, the better, more consistent offense will show up. This should be the first actual game back for Josh Jacobs, crowned with an early score from him. Yet, too much Josh Allen and a stifling pass defense keeps the Raiders looking for answers to a questionable offseason. 
  • Pittsburgh Steelers @ LV Raiders 09/24 – This might be the best “wipe the slate clean” game for the Raiders and it’s mostly because I’m certain McDaniels wants to forget losing to this team due to the turnover woes of Derek Carr. I’m sure that Coach Mike Tomlin would like to remind his defense about the great job they did last year, but with a new QB at the helm and a different looking offense, the Raiders may get this one.
    • Defense, defense, defense! As mentioned before, Coach Tomlin is going to get his guy prepared for as much as humanly possible. Given the numerous offenses he’s seen in his career vs a McDaniels-led offense in previous playoff showdowns a la Patriots, Tomlin will get guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Paterson and Joey Porter Jr. to keep the Raiders contained, but after warming up in week 2…
    • …You can’t forget about the running game. If we see any issues of trust with the ball from Jimmy G early on this season, look no further than the impressive RB core, led by Jacobs to set the tone, and the scoring for this game
    • Final Score – 19 to 16 LV in a “not as close as the score made it seem” game, this is going to come down to ball control and execution. 
  • LV Raiders @ LA Chargers 10/01 – This game has all the makings of an “oh did you see that game” type of matchup. You have two teams that have been battling for the scraps of the division over the last 3 seasons, 2 of the biggest fan bases  on the west coast and 1 big reason to win: a huge leg up in the division. This game promises to show some tricks, big kicks and could be this season’s big flick.
    • Justin Herbert’s “I’m him” game – in a world full of defining moments, Herbert’s ability to shine comes in splashes, but this game would start a wave for him to be the next king of the AFC West. This is Herbert’s 4th year in the league. He knows how to win, has improved year by year, and has a cannon that can make big plays against the Raiders’ secondary. His only issue will be…
    • …the Nightmares on Elm Street – While the passing attack may work, given time, Crosby and Jones won’t allow that. Those 12.5 sacks and 89 team-leading tackles didn’t just land in Crosby’s lap, and if that front line isn’t ready to protect Herbert, he’ll look more like a glass cannon than an effective one. 
    • Final score – 27 to 25 Raiders win in a game where it’s going to come down to: Coaching decisions on key downs, effective receiver coverage and a couple of trick plays/special teams moments. 
  • Season record  3 – 1. “Is this the real McDaniels? Are the Raiders for real?”