Reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 Week 1

Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warms up before the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warms up before the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
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Raiders
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 Week 1

Raiders get their first win

There is no better way the Raiders could have started out their season than to have a rematch of the incredible week 18 win against the Chargers that sent the Raider to their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Both teams have gotten better over this offseason by adding top end talent to bolster their respective sides of the ball. The Chargers traded for former Raider LB Khalil Mack, and the Raiders made a splash landing by trading for former Green Bay packer WR Davante Adams.

What gives the Raiders an advantage going into this game is the fact they are brand new across the board. Brand new head coach calling the plays, brand new defensive coordinator, and brand new weapons to go along with that.

Josh McDaniels brings a complex and intricate offense that I believe compliments the Raiders personnel very well and Patrick Graham brings a defense that made even the lowly-looking New York Giants have some semblance of a team last year.

Raider Nation likes to use the term “Chargers gonna Charger” in reference to their ability to throw away games late.

If the preseason was any indication of what this new look Raiders team will be like, we will see a disciplined and well-oiled machine that is able to take advantage of those mistakes. If the Raiders can put points on the board early, I believe they will be able to fend off this high-flying Chargers offense and start off this 2022 season 1-0.

Schedule