Despite a busy offseason filled with upgrades, many NFL analysts are skeptical that the Las Vegas Raiders will win more than a few games in 2025.
Raiders Not Receiving Any Love From NFL Analysts
First, we saw that the Las Vegas Raiders were not receiving any love from CBS Sports’ Jimmie Kaylor. He stated that he “doesn’t expect [them] to contend in the AFC West, but I do expect to see them play better in 2025.”
Now, that sentiment appears to have been echoed by another league analyst, with one believing they will finish bottom of the AFC West once again, despite making moves to add experience to the roster.
Raiders Adding Experience But Not Expected To Compete For AFC West Honors
Among the moves that the Las Vegas Raiders have made is at the head coach position, with the vastly experienced Super Bowl-winning Pete Carroll taking the helm. He has managed to acquire some new players and experienced individuals in key areas of the roster, including quarterback Geno Smith.
However, that hasn’t made their odds of challenging for AFC West honors all that more favorable. The franchise isn’t a favorite with bookmakers. However, for daily fantasy sports bettors, the roster moves may present opportunities that were not previously there. With the ability to enhance an experience with bonuses like the Dabble promo code, the team and its roster might just offer something of value to bettors in different ways than competing for divisional honors.
Indeed, the division is tough. The Kansas City Chiefs continue to dominate it. They have won the division every year since 2016 and don’t look like they’re giving that title up anytime soon. They have featured in five of the last six Super Bowls and are as complete of a team in the NFL as anybody else. Last season, they were 15-2 in the regular season; the Raiders were at the bottom after a 4-13 record.
Of course, it came off the back of a difficult campaign, and it was the first time they had finished bottom of the AFC West since 2018, when they were known as the Oakland Raiders. However, that hasn’t stopped Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton from predicting that the team will finish last in the AFC West for the second consecutive year, despite the organization making several roster moves.
Why Does Moton Think The Raiders Will Finish Last Again?
In his article discussing which teams he believes will finish last in each NFL division, he wrote:
“Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders went 0-6 in the AFC West. They should be more competitive within the division this year, but they are still a step behind their playoff-caliber rivals. The Raiders could win seven or eight games and yet still finish last in the AFC West.”
The problem that he identified is that the division is one of the strongest in the NFL. It boasted three teams in last season’s postseason, with only the Raiders failing to make it. This is the reason they fired head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco. They opted instead to hire experienced individuals like Carroll and John Spytek. Chip Kelly has also arrived as the offensive coordinator to try and get things going on offense.
It didn’t help that they went 0-6 across the division, either. However, they will face some beatable teams in the 2025 NFL season. With exciting additions, including the drafting of top running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick, there is some excitement about what they may be able to do with the ball.
If there are questions, it will be on defense. They have a largely unproven secondary and lack starting-quality players in key positions, such as cornerback and both guard positions. There are also questions about safety. Isaiah Pola-Mao will need to improve in various areas if he is to be a starter at the position for the second successive season.
It’s easy to see why the Raiders aren’t expected to challenge for AFC West honors, but finishing bottom for a second successive season? There will be a hope that they won’t. Still, that remains to be seen.
*Top Photo: Getty Images