The Las Vegas Raiders now have a record of 2-5 after losing to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 24-0. There were no positive takeaways from this game because the Raiders clearly lacked preparation, which resulted in another bad loss. Here are three burning questions following the Raiders’ Week 8 defeat.
Is Raiders HC Josh McDaniels on the heat seat right now?
Even though this is Josh McDaniels’ first season as the Raiders’ head coach, the coaching situation is already in question. Due to the addition of players like Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, expectations for the Raiders this season were high, but they haven’t lived up to the hype.
And McDaniels is where it all begins. Although the Raiders have displayed flashes, the league is results-based, so this is irrelevant. The fact that this team is 2-5 does not bode well for their chances of making the playoffs in a competitive AFC. Despite the fact that McDaniels was hired to upgrade the Raiders’ offense, his play calling has resulted in a significant amount of offensive stagnation.
Another lengthy postgame meeting between #Raiders owner Mark Davis and first-year coach Josh McDaniels in McDaniels’ office.
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) October 30, 2022
If Mark Davis and McDaniels can’t work something out, things might get ugly for the Raiders. According to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, Davis and McDaniels had a lengthy postgame discussion following the Raiders’ loss. Instead of giving McDaniels years to try to turn around this squad, it might be wise to part ways if Davis believes he isn’t the solution.
Are the Raiders going to be sellers at the trade deadline?
Following Sunday’s loss, it would be wise if the Raiders switched from being buyers to being sellers at the trade deadline. The players who shouldn’t be traded include Adams, Maxx Crosby, Kolton Miller, and Nate Hobbs. But the Raiders must respond if teams call about anyone else.
With a record of 2-5 and no indication of consistency, it would be logical to part ways with some players in order to increase draft picks. Given that the Raiders declined to pick up the fifth-year options of Johnathan Abram and Clelin Ferrell, they immediately spring to mind as potential trade targets. It’s time to trade some of these guys for picks in the draft so that Dave Ziegler has more assets to work with.
Are the Silver and Black still making the playoffs?
Well, Las Vegas keeps losing ground, and their chances of making the playoffs don’t look good after falling to 2-5. In fact, as of Sunday’s defeat, those chances dropped to 13 percent. Josh McDaniels’ inconsistent offense, poor defense, and poor coaching are a recipe for failure. Truthfully, the Raiders haven’t shown us much outside of their two victories. They’re making it seem doubtful that they will turn this thing around. Even in those victories, things didn’t appear to be looking good. I don’t think the Raiders will make the playoffs given how inconsistent they have been.
Raiders’ Play-Calling Is Sabotaging The Team Right Now & Other Concerns
*Top Photo: Las Vegas Sun
