Win or lose on Saturday: the 2021 Las Vegas Raiders were a success

The 2021 Las Vegas Raiders season was a success for several reasons, no matter what they went through on and off the field. Here are a few.

The Las Vegas Raiders came into the 2021 season in a bewildered position. Playing in the AFC West, many saw this team as the third or even fourth best in the division. There were several reasons for this, chief among them being the turnover in the offensive line and a questionable draft class.

However, in what can be described as a roller coaster of a season, filled with ups and downs, the Raiders overcame all obstacles and are now in the playoffs. Needless to say, this season can be looked back on as a success, win or lose on Saturday, when it’s all said and done.

No, we’re not trying to jinx or give an out if the Raiders come up short against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rather, take a look at the big picture and think back to the offseason and preseason to where the team is now.

Coming into 2021, both Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock had said that the playoffs were the goal. Both the coach and the general manager were not hiding from expectations, as they put it.

Coming into Year 4 of the Gruden era, the head duo decided that this was the season their team finally broke through. Putting out those types of quotes purposely set the tone for 2021, though no one could’ve foreseen the other circumstances that nearly derailed those expectations.

So, if their goal for the team was to finally earn a playoff berth, it can be safely said that this season fulfilled their goal.