The Las Vegas Raiders had high hopes heading into the 2022-2023 NFL betting season. After making a splash trade for former Packers WR Davante Adams and hiring head coach Josh McDaniels, expectations were elevated for the team with their win total jettisoned up to 8.5 after going off the board 7.5 the prior two seasons. In true Raiders fashion, the Silver & Black ultimately fell short, finishing with a disappointing 6-11 record that saw them go 8-9 versus the NFL odds to miss out on the playoffs a year removed from making their first appearance since 2016. Let’s take a closer look at the key details of what went down last season and preview what lies ahead for the Raiders in the 2023-2024 season. Their win total currently clocks in at 6.5, according to BetRivers Sportsbook. This number reflects the low expectations for the team with it getting a major facelift in the offseason. While they have the potential to exceed this win total, it will be a challenging task given the tough schedule and playing within a division that could send three teams to the second season should everything fall into place. On paper, Vegas are deserved of being the -129 favorite to bring up the rear of the AFC West for the first time since 2018.

Las Vegas Raiders: Bring Back Chucky!

Opening the season with three straight losses and a single win through the first five put the Raiders behind the proverbial 8-ball right from the outset. With just two wins to their credit through Week 10, the writing was already on the wall with the Chiefs and Chargers running away and hiding. Though the team managed to win four of five from Week 11-15, it was all but a done deal that Vegas would close the year with a losing record under the new coaching staff. Why upper management thought spurring Rich Bisaccia and going the way of Josh McDaniels was the thing to do is beyond me, but this franchise consistently makes bonehead moves that leave you scratching your head every passing season.

The Raiders’ 6-11 record was fairly reflective of their performance on the field with it managing just four wins in the 13 games decided by a single possession. This team perfected the art of losing big leads, and ended up paying the brunt of it by taking an enormous step back after looking like a team on the rise the previous season. The onus was incorrectly pinned upon Derek Carr who is no longer with the team. The Raiders inability to create havoc upon opposing quarterbacks and the pass defense’s inability to prevent opposing quarterbacks from going HAM should’ve been looked upon as the main culprit. While moves were made in the draft to shore up the deficiencies in selecting Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson and Alabama DT Byron Young, it remains to be seen how quickly each will be able to contribute at the NFL level. Until then, it’ll still be up to Maxx Crosby to hold the fort.

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Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total: 6.5

The Raiders were expected to run up against the third toughest schedule strength in the league a season ago. As it turned out, it ended up being one of the ten easiest making the inability to even come close to surpassing their win total all the more depressing. As luck would have it, another tough road lies ahead for McDaniels and co. with Sharp Football Analysis predicting their schedule strength as the second toughest in the NFL behind only the New England Patriots. The leaky pass defense will be tested mightily as well with the Raiders set to face five of the top seven pass offenses from the previous year.

Case for the Over

Despite their difficulties last season, there are reasons to believe the Raiders find a way to churn out seven wins. The offense still boasts an elite skill group with Davante Adams spearheading the pass catching corps and Josh Jacobs looking to build off last year’s breakout campaign that saw him lead the league in rushing. While impossible to expect him to mimic that feat, some solid pieces have been added to the mix in WR Jacobi Myers and TE Austin Hooper to make it more of a collective effort. The team also got a good one in the draft after Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer fell to them in the second round. If the offensive line can perform better and provide adequate protection, the Raiders have the potential to put up points.

Additionally, the Raiders have a tendency to play close games. They dominated them in 2021 (7-2) but stunk out loud last season (4-9). If they can find ways to close out games and improve their performance in crucial situations, they could surpass expectations in a big way.

Case for the Under

On the other hand, there are factors that could contribute to the Raiders falling short of the 6.5 win total. The AFC West is a competitive division, with strong teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers as well as a Denver Broncos squad looking to save face from last year’s catastrophe. Facing these tough opponents twice a year paired with what’s expected to already be a gauntlet of a non-divisional schedule will make it difficult for the Raiders to rack up wins.

There are also concerns surrounding the quarterback position. With Derek Carr being replaced by Jimmy Garoppolo, there is uncertainty about how well Garoppolo will adapt to the offense and whether he can stay healthy. The offensive line, which struggled last season, could also pose challenges for the new quarterback.

Las Vegas Raiders Schedule

Week 1: at Broncos

Week 2: at Bills

Week 3: vs. Steelers (SNF)

Week 4: at Chargers

Week 5: vs. Packers (MNF)

Week 6: vs. Patriots

Week 7: at Bears

Week 8: at Lions (MNF)

Week 9: vs. Giants

Week 10: vs. Jets (SNF)

Week 11: at Dolphins

Week 12: vs. Chiefs

Week 13: Bye Week

Week 14: vs. Vikings

Week 15: vs. Chargers (TNF)

Week 16: at Chiefs

Week 17: at Colts

Week 18: vs. Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total Analysis

It will be an intriguing season for the Raiders and their fans as they look to bounce back and compete in a competitive AFC West division after discarding a majority of the guys that helped get them to the playoffs a few years prior. While there are some real attractive pieces to the makeup of the roster on both sides of the ball, I think the team is tainted and it has everything to do with the coaching staff and front office. McDaniels flunked his first go-round as an NFL head coach in Denver and did nothing last season to lead me to believe it’ll be any different in his second go-round in the desert. Carr proved to be the fall guy last season. Who will it be in 2023-24? Hopefully some dude with the initials JM! And why is this team lined up for so many prime time games?!

Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total Prediction: Under 6.5 +108

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