Las Vegas Raiders lose in Week 1, but what does it all mean?

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Linebacker Khalil Mack #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers and guard Jermaine Eluemunor #72 of the Las Vegas Raiders fall on top of quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium on September 11, 2022, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders lose in Week 1, but what does it all mean?

Raiders must find their offensive line

After training camp and four preseason contests – one more than any other team, Jaguars aside – the Raiders have still not settled on an offensive line. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying; I’m not implying Las Vegas needs to go back to the drawing board to figure out their O-line starters, I’m saying McDaniels still hasn’t left the drawing board.

During the Raiders’ week 1 showdown against Los Angeles, the Silver and Black tried four different OL combinations throughout the game.

Jermaine Eluemunor is playing right tackle. No, wait. Thayer Munford is out there. Hold on a second, is that Eluemunor again?

Lester Cotton is holding down the fort at right guard. I thought? So why is Dylan Parham out there?

Throughout this battle, Josh McDaniels continued his mission to figure out who the starting players on the offensive line were as he played seven of the eight O-line players rostered.

This uncertainty is getting the Raiders nowhere, and fast. If the coaching staff can’t put the pieces together soon, we may be looking at a repeat of last season where Las Vegas ranked 28th among O-lines in 2021. Actually, judging by the 6 sacks given up on Sunday, it might be even worse.

Sep 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) as he sets to throw a pass in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Reasons for optimism despite Las Vegas Raiders loss in opener

The Las Vegas Raiders may have lost in their opening game, but there are more than a few reasons for optimism the rest of the way.

I hate to do this, but I’m going to let this ship sail out to sea on a sour note – the Raiders are not interested in signing any available free agent offensive lineman at the moment, and that includes the fan-favorite Daryl Williams. A trade still isn’t out of the question, although the team has yet to explore that route.

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