It took until the very last play of the regular season for the Raiders to clinch their playoff berth, but they did make the tournament for the first time since 2016.
So what will it take for them to get back there this year and what are the odds that they can do it? Well, it might be a tad lower than you would think.
In a recent article by Bill Barnwell of ESPN, he wrote about every team’s chances of making the playoffs (and winning the Super Bowl) during the 2022 season. The site gave the Raiders a 46.1 percent chance of making the playoffs this year as the AFC is deeper than ever.
Here is why Barnwell is optimistic about their chances of making the playoffs this year:
“Derek Carr has proven himself to be a top-10 quarterback over the past several seasons, and he’ll have his best set of pass-catchers as a pro in Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller.
The defense will form a one-two punch of devastating pass-rushers in Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby, but new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will need to piece together a competent pass defense behind that duo.”
Getting back to the playoffs will be difficult for the Raiders, but they certainly have the roster capable of doing it. They’ll need their star players to play up to their talent level and the hope is that a few young studs can emerge.
However, the expectation is clear for everyone involved with the Raiders. It’s time to not only make the playoffs but it’s time to make a run. Regardless of what happens, it should be a really fun season for the Las Vegas Raiders.