Las Vegas Raiders finally fixed a defensive issue they have had for years, but now it’s not creating the results it should
The Las Vegas Raiders have 14 total takeaways, fourth in the NFL, but the defense still isn’t very good.
For years, the Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to create takeaways. Now, they’re doing it. However, it’s not translating into the results it should. The defense is still bad. They have allowed at least 30 points in their last six games. And they’ve allowed 26 points in every single game.
But Vegas now has 14 takeaways in the season. That’s good enough for fourth in the NFL. Under Pete Carroll, Antonio Pierce, Josh McDaniels, and even Jon Gruden, they struggled to create takeaways. Many thought that was why the defense couldn’t always help the offense. But we’re now seeing that’s not entirely true, at least not with this team.
Last season, Vegas had 16 takeaways. In 2024, they had 13. 2023: 22; 2022: 13; then 15 the next two years. They already have 14 takeaways, and eight games remain. That’s huge, especially for this franchise. And what’s even better is that we are seeing some of the young players, the rookies, make these plays.
Hezekiah Masses has three interceptions, and Treydan Stukes has two. Those are future cornerstones of this defense. But the question remains: why isn’t this helping the defense?
Raiders’ offense isn’t helping the defense much
The offense is scoring a lot, yes. But they’re not quite helping the defense. The defense has 14 takeaways, but the offense has 13 giveaways. That’s a +1 differential, which is 15th in the league. This last game against the 49ers is the perfect example.
They had field position after a 54-yard kickoff return, which should have ended with seven points rather than three. Vegas fumbled at the SF 26 after an interception set up a short field. They fumbled at the SF 1 after a turnover on downs; the defense stopped Brock Purdy.
Then they threw an end-zone interception after losing two yards on first-and-goal, a QB sneak, and a touchdown called back for offensive pass interference. So, yeah, they beat themselves. They gave the ball right back way too many times.
And that’s just not helped the defense at all. It actually hurt the defense by keeping them on the field longer. They lost the possession battle 38 minutes to 21 minutes. They have to find a way to capitalize.
