This year's Raiders team is missing one thing that last year's team had
The Las Vegas Raiders currently sit at 1-4 on the season. Those four losses are by a combined fourteen points. Two touchdowns – that is the difference from the Raiders being 5-0 and 1-4. Unfortunately, Las Vegas is the latter, and the top half of the AFC West is starting to run away from them. The […]
The Las Vegas Raiders currently sit at 1-4 on the season. Those four losses are by a combined fourteen points.
Two touchdowns – that is the difference from the Raiders being 5-0 and 1-4.
Unfortunately, Las Vegas is the latter, and the top half of the AFC West is starting to run away from them. The Raiders have struggled in close games this season after being one of the most clutch teams in the NFL a season ago.
Why has that been the case for the Raiders?
That statistic is a bit jarring.
The Raiders' luck was always going to even out to a degree after winning so many tight games last season, but the difference is massive. A lot of it could just be luck, but part of it is also coaching for the Raiders.
In crunch time, Las Vegas has made mistakes this season that they did not last year.
Additionally, the team has been without a couple of their biggest targets in big moments from a year ago. Both tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow have missed time due to injuries.
Those two are consistent, reliable targets for Raiders' QB Derek Carr in crunch time.
Plus, their defense has struggled late in games at times this year. Overall, the Raiders just need more consistency on both sides of the ball.
Now, these stats and factors could mean brighter days are ahead for Las Vegas. They are due for some good luck in close games, and it means that they are competitive in every single matchup.
For fans, they have to hope that the Raiders will get some good fortune in coming weeks if they continue to play in very close games.
