How the Las Vegas Raiders can return to the playoffs in 2022

How the Las Vegas Raiders can return to the playoffs in 2022

Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers

Another area in which the Raiders struggled mightily throughout the Jon Gruden era (and, to be frank, throughout the last 20 years) is forcing turnovers defensively and limiting them offensively. In fact, since 2006, the Raiders have had just three seasons (2008, 2015, 2016) with a positive turnover differential.

Two of those three seasons featured a differential of +1.

For far too long, the Raiders have been beating themselves. Encouragingly, though, this seems to be a point of emphasis for Josh McDaniels this upcoming season. Through their four preseason games, Las Vegas became the first NFL team since the 2011 Steelers with zero preseason turnovers.

More importantly though, the Raiders defense, under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, will need to find a way to take the ball away from opposing offenses. The Raiders have struggled to force turnovers consistently for many years, especially interceptions.

This season, with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones rushing off the edges and a more experienced secondary, the Las Vegas defense will hope to finally make an impact in that area.

To ensure a playoff berth in 2022, the Raiders need to find a way to win the turnover battle and gain extra possessions for their high-powered offense.