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4 expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 Week 2

By Khaled Abdallah

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after the team's 26-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after the team's 26-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

4 expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 Week 2

Protect Derek Carr

Last week the Raiders offensive line struggled mightily against the fearsome pass rush of the Chargers. Khalil Mack had his way with either of the offensive tackles he lined up against and Joey Bosa was no slouch either as he tortured the right side of the Vegas offensive line.

Derek Carr was hit 9 times and sacked 6 times including twice on the final two offensive plays of the game for the Raiders. The inability to protect Carr essentially decided the game in favor of LA but the good news is that Arizona’s pass rush and defensive line are nowhere near as good.

Of their two sack leaders from 2021, one is now a Raider in Chandler Jones and the other in Markus Golden is more of a situational pass rusher than a truly dominant defensive end. JJ Watt has started practicing this week and is someone the Raiders must account for but he is nowhere near the same force he once was.

There were plenty of plays that the Raiders left on the field thanks to small errors or a lack of pass protection and that should not be the case in Week 2. If the Raiders can keep Derek Carr’s jersey clean they should be able to have a dominant offensive performance.

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