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

2 of 3

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: Interim head coach/special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia of the Las Vegas Raiders talks with line judge Julian Mapp during the Raiders’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 35-32 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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

The team made the playoffs

Think back to the long rebuild that will define Gruden’s second stint. He, and eventually Mayock, completely rebuilt the roster. The only real holdover from the Reggie McKenzie era is franchise quarterback Derek Carr. It was going to take a few years, but the man did it, and while Gruden isn’t around to bask in the success, he was surely responsible for assembling much of the product you currently see on the field.

Is this roster perfect? Heavens no! Not at all. Nonetheless, this is a team that survived arguably the toughest division in the AFC, winning 10-7. In fact, when the season began, the Raiders had the second-toughest schedule in the entire NFL. Before the season began, Todd Dewey of the Las Vegas Review-Journal calculated the degree of difficulty that the Raiders would have to overcome.

"The Raiders, who have the eighth-toughest schedule based on opponents’ 2020 winning percentage (.526), have a win total of 7½ and are favored in only six games by an average of 2.3 points. -Dewey on the Raiders’ 2021 schedule"

The mere fact that the organization overcame a national scandal and a terrible tragedy within the span of a month with enough time to “get it together” deserves praise. This team is not a one-hit wonder. The Raiders, as they’re currently constructed, should be a viable perennial playoff team for the next few years.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News