Worst-Case Scenarios for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023
Let's be honest- a lot can go wrong for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. Check out all the worst-case scenarios for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 below.
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Source Facebook[/caption]
The Las Vegas Raiders' defense needs to improve for the team to succeed in 2023. They can't afford to blow big leads or allow the opposing team to mount a fourth-quarter comeback. Las Vegas must also do more to stop their opponents on third down and force turnovers when possible.
The Raiders' defense accomplished much of this during their 34-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers during preseason. Not only did the Raiders manage to pressure Brandon Allen into an interception, but they also only allowed seven points the entire game. Now, this is just a preseason game, but the aggression the defense is showing looks promising.
Unfortunately, none of this means anything if the defense reverts back into turntables during the regular season. Whatever the problem is, they need to fix it and find a way to get opposing teams off the field. Adding Tyree Wilson might help, but that's a lot to put on a rookie.
#5 Davantae Adams requesting a trade
Source. YouTube
Davantae Adams is one of the best weapons on the Las Vegas Raiders roster and a crucial part of their championship puzzle. \ Not only is that evident by Adams being The Raider's primary receiver last season, but also due to his veteran status. It's no secret that Jimmy Garoppolo needs reliable receivers to move the chains, and Adams is that guy. Despite this, Raiders fans have been inundated with rumors of Adams wanting out of Las Vegas.
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Source. YouTube[/caption]
While Josh McDaniels getting fired is the domino many people are waiting to drop, it could have grave implications. Firing McDaniels too early might completely junk the season and make the playoffs an impossibility. On the other hand, waiting too late to drop the hammer will likely anger fans, making them want to tune out.
Or maybe McDaniels can silence his critics and lead the Raiders to the playoffs for the first time in two years. He holds a 6-11 record with the Raiders and 34-56 overall. That's not something to be proud of, and why he needs to come out swinging this season.
Related: Las Vegas sports rumors you need to know about
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Source. Facebook[/caption]
The Las Vegas Raiders have the second-hardest schedule in the NFL, and fans will get a taste of that right away. It all starts with an away game at Mile High Stadium against the Denver Broncos. After that nightmare of an opener, they move on to Bills Stadiums.
These away games are going to be a rough test. Realistically, they can only afford to lose one of these games. Otherwise, they will be 0-1 against a divisional opponent and 0-2 overall heading into their first home game.
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Josh Jacobs continues to hold out for a better contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, but the organization doesn't seem to care. At least, they don't seem to care enough to offer him anything more than the one-year franchise tag agreement. Jacobs believes he is worth more, however, and wants to sign a longer-term deal with the organization.
Jacobs can hold out for the preseason and week one without penalty, giving him some leverage against the Raiders. For example, if the Raiders have a tough time in Mile High and are 0-1, there's that extra incentive to give in. The Raiders can also have a good game and get high on their own supply, cheapening Jacobs' value.
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Source Facebook[/caption]
The Las Vegas Raiders' season hinges on Jimmy Garoppolo, which isn't very comforting knowing his history. Garoppolo has a 40-17 record as a starter. That might sound impressive, but there's another side to it. The record is a result of nine seasons where Garoppolo either played as a backup, lost the starting job, or got injured.
Garoppolo is known to perform well for a while and then get injured or lose the starting job. Those two scenarios would be an absolute disaster for the Las Vegas Raiders, bringing their season to a freefall. The only backups they have are Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell, which isn't exactly ideal.
Next: Everything you need to know about The Las Vegas Raiders 2023 preseason
#6 The defense hasn't improved
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Source Facebook[/caption]The Las Vegas Raiders' defense needs to improve for the team to succeed in 2023. They can't afford to blow big leads or allow the opposing team to mount a fourth-quarter comeback. Las Vegas must also do more to stop their opponents on third down and force turnovers when possible.
The Raiders' defense accomplished much of this during their 34-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers during preseason. Not only did the Raiders manage to pressure Brandon Allen into an interception, but they also only allowed seven points the entire game. Now, this is just a preseason game, but the aggression the defense is showing looks promising.
Unfortunately, none of this means anything if the defense reverts back into turntables during the regular season. Whatever the problem is, they need to fix it and find a way to get opposing teams off the field. Adding Tyree Wilson might help, but that's a lot to put on a rookie.
#5 Davantae Adams requesting a trade 
Source. YouTube
Davantae Adams is one of the best weapons on the Las Vegas Raiders roster and a crucial part of their championship puzzle. \ Not only is that evident by Adams being The Raider's primary receiver last season, but also due to his veteran status. It's no secret that Jimmy Garoppolo needs reliable receivers to move the chains, and Adams is that guy. Despite this, Raiders fans have been inundated with rumors of Adams wanting out of Las Vegas.
#4 Josh McDaniels getting fired in the middle of the season
[caption id="attachment_35734" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube[/caption]While Josh McDaniels getting fired is the domino many people are waiting to drop, it could have grave implications. Firing McDaniels too early might completely junk the season and make the playoffs an impossibility. On the other hand, waiting too late to drop the hammer will likely anger fans, making them want to tune out.
Or maybe McDaniels can silence his critics and lead the Raiders to the playoffs for the first time in two years. He holds a 6-11 record with the Raiders and 34-56 overall. That's not something to be proud of, and why he needs to come out swinging this season.
Related: Las Vegas sports rumors you need to know about
#3 Losing their back-to-back road games to start the season
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Source. Facebook[/caption]The Las Vegas Raiders have the second-hardest schedule in the NFL, and fans will get a taste of that right away. It all starts with an away game at Mile High Stadium against the Denver Broncos. After that nightmare of an opener, they move on to Bills Stadiums.
These away games are going to be a rough test. Realistically, they can only afford to lose one of these games. Otherwise, they will be 0-1 against a divisional opponent and 0-2 overall heading into their first home game.
#2 Joshua Jacobs being traded
[caption id="attachment_34582" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. YouTube.[/caption]Josh Jacobs continues to hold out for a better contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, but the organization doesn't seem to care. At least, they don't seem to care enough to offer him anything more than the one-year franchise tag agreement. Jacobs believes he is worth more, however, and wants to sign a longer-term deal with the organization.
Jacobs can hold out for the preseason and week one without penalty, giving him some leverage against the Raiders. For example, if the Raiders have a tough time in Mile High and are 0-1, there's that extra incentive to give in. The Raiders can also have a good game and get high on their own supply, cheapening Jacobs' value.
#1 Jimmy Garoppolo getting injured or underperforming
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Source Facebook[/caption]The Las Vegas Raiders' season hinges on Jimmy Garoppolo, which isn't very comforting knowing his history. Garoppolo has a 40-17 record as a starter. That might sound impressive, but there's another side to it. The record is a result of nine seasons where Garoppolo either played as a backup, lost the starting job, or got injured.
Garoppolo is known to perform well for a while and then get injured or lose the starting job. Those two scenarios would be an absolute disaster for the Las Vegas Raiders, bringing their season to a freefall. The only backups they have are Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell, which isn't exactly ideal.
Next: Everything you need to know about The Las Vegas Raiders 2023 preseason