If the Las Vegas Raiders want to progress during the 2026 NFL season, then the first step will be for them to break a handful of concerning trends that have plagued them over the last couple of campaigns.
Of course, losing teams always have a lot to improve upon, though there are recurring themes to monitor as the Raiders head into this season with an eye toward a brighter future.
After a 7-27 stretch over the last two years, the Silver and Black could turn the tide if it finds a breakthrough on three specific problematic cycles, which include their struggles in the AFC West, a poor rushing attack, and a complete lack of takeaways.
Raiders must take care of several big trends to improve in 2026
1-11 vs. AFC West opponents since 2024
Las Vegas has won one game against its division opponents in the last two years, and that was its last outing against the Kansas City Chiefs in a matchup with mostly backups on the field.
In order for the Raiders to play meaningful games at the end of the season, they must conquer familiar opponents. This year, Las Vegas has two immediate tests: a Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers and a Week 4 home game against the Chiefs.
The Chargers are a playoff-caliber squad, and the Chiefs will look to bounce back from a 6-11 campaign. The Raiders can make a statement in either or both contests, showing they can pull off upsets that would close the gap between them and their rivals this year.
Consecutive years with the fewest rushing yards
In back-to-back years, Las Vegas has struggled mightily to establish its run game, finishing more than 200 yards behind the second-worst rushing team in consecutive campaigns. Play-calling head coach Klint Kubiak and his staff must combat two issues to jump-start the ground attack.
First, the Raiders' offensive line has to build some chemistry. The group has two new starters: three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum and left guard Spencer Burford.
At right guard, Jackson Powers-Johnson must stay healthy to solidify his spot. Last year, the 23-year-old missed nine games because of an ankle injury. He's also missed stretches over the last two offseasons. With some cohesion, the offensive line could work efficiently as a unit.
Second, if the Raiders can stay competitive, they'll be able to run the ball more often. Las Vegas posted a minus-191-point differential in 2024 and a minus-125-point differential in 2025, meaning opponents were blowing the team out by wide margins.
In more competitive late-game situations, the Raiders can rely on their ground attack to close out contests rather than play catch-up with the aerial attack on a negative game script. This year, the combination of Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. can be the key to one-score victories.
Bottom 10 in takeaways for consecutive years
Every defensive coordinator talks about aggressiveness—no play-caller wants to see a reactionary unit that's slow to swarm the ball in the air or on the ground.
Simply put, the Raiders haven't been around the ball enough over the last two seasons. In 2024, they finished with the fourth-fewest takeaways (13). The club only showed marginal improvement last season, tying for 23rd with 16 forced turnovers.
Rob Leonard has to coach up a young unit that's inexperienced in spots on the back end. At times, the Raiders will need game-changing takeaways to end opponent drives. Also, a team's ability to flip field position with forced turnovers allows the offense to capitalize on more scoring opportunities.
Entering the 2026 season, the Raiders don't have a bona fide ball hawk in pass coverage, but rookie second-rounder Treydan Stukes could be the defender who emerges as the team leader in interceptions. He snagged four in his final collegiate year at Arizona.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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