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Raiders: 3 advantages Las Vegas has to win the AFC West

By Alexander Monfreda

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: A Las Vegas Raiders fan holds a "Raider Nation" sign behind a Star Wars-themed Raiders banner during the team's 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)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: A Las Vegas Raiders fan holds a "Raider Nation" sign behind a Star Wars-themed Raiders banner during the team's 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) /
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Raiders helmet
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: (EDITORS NOTE – This image has been converted to black and white) Oakland Raiders helmet is seen on the field after the game between Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 06, 2019, in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

The AFC West has grown tougher, but the Raiders have taken as many steps forward as any team leaguewide. Now, getting ready for the upcoming season, Las Vegas holds advantages over the rest of the division.

The off-season, is a time when each team in the National Football League has the chance to change their personnel, address weaknesses on the roster, and further strengthen various units, which is exactly what the Las Vegas Raiders did. From free agency to the annual NFL Draft, teams leaguewide have various ways they can add heaps of talent.

This off-season, in particular, no division benefitted more from this than the AFC West.

In Denver, Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson was added in a trade that sent Drew Lock and Noah Fant to Seattle. Out in L.A., the Chargers added All-Pro’s Khalil Mack and JC Jackson. Kansas City lost some great talent, but the back-to-back-to-back-to-back (x4) AFC Championship Game attendees took advantage of each opportunity they had in the 2022 NFL draft.

For the Raiders, things went their way during the off-season as well.

All-Pro Chandler Jones was acquired in free agency, and the league-leader for [lowest] completion percentage allowed in man coverage last season, Rock Ya-Sin, was added by way of trade. Of course, no move was bigger than the deal that brought Davante Adams to Las Vegas, reuniting him with his best friend, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.

Even as each team in the AFC West took advantage of this period to improve, the Silver and Black have some advantages on their side, which may be vital to them competing in the division – Or, better yet, winning the division.

So, what are those advantages? Let’s jump right into it.

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