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.
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.
Win or lose on Saturday: the 2021 Las Vegas Raiders were a success
Oh look, the Raiders have a defense now…
For the past few years, the common theme with fans has been that if “the Raiders had an average defense, they’d be in the playoffs.” Well, look no further, that is exactly what happened in 2021. Along with clinching a playoff spot, the fact that the Raiders now have a legitimate defense is a big reason why this season was a success.
For most of Gruden’s tenure, Paul Guenther was in charge of the defense. That unit was a hindrance to the progress Gruden was making. While he was assembling a reliable, accurate, and efficient offense, the defense lagged behind. The terrible display on the field during 2020 was finally enough grounds for a termination. Gus Bradley was then anointed as Guenther’s replacement, and the unit quickly evolved.
The evolution is quite impressive and should be rightly celebrated. In 2020, under Guenther, the Raiders ranked 20th in least yards after the catch, 26th least yards per play, and were 16th in QB knockdowns. If you look at those same numbers for 2021, you’ll note a stark difference. Especially in regards to QB knockdowns, the Raiders were ranked third this season.
The tackling was also vastly improved under Bradley when compared to Guenther’s time. In 2020, Las Vegas forced just eight forced fumbles. This year? The Silver and Black accumulated 13 as a team. A lot of that also had to do with the roster.
The Raiders drafted well when it came to defense, adding future stalwarts in Trevon Moehrig, Nate Hobbs, and Divine Deablo. The team also added players such as Denzel Perryman and Solomon Thomas before the season, so the talent turnover was noticeable.
With the defense hitting its stride going into Saturday, it’s likely that the Raiders will go as far as the defense can take them. More importantly, this Raiders defense can continue to be addressed in April during the draft, and with another big free agent addition, this unit can build on 2021’s success.