Tensions Rise as Raiders Look to Right the Ship vs. Broncos

During the offseason, the Raiders, along with the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos, were all expected to make up the most competitive division in the NFL due to the offseason moves each of the teams had made and the talent each team possesses. Thus far, the Raiders have been underwhelming while falling to 0-3. Despite there being 14 games left on the schedule, questions are starting to emerge about the Raiders.

After Sunday’s 24-22 loss to the Tennessee Titans, coaches and players expressed their frustrations with the start of the 2022 season.

“Frustrated and angry,” WR Davante Adams said. “We expect more, and I mean it’s not easy to win in this league, so we know that… but at the end of the day we expect more, and we will do it better as we move forward.”

Adams was not the only leader that was frustrated during the Wednesday press conferences.

“I was pissed after we lost,” QB Derek Carr said. “No one wants to lose, especially the way we lost.”

Although he was upset, Carr knows that the team has to stay positive.

“It’s okay to be frustrated,” he said. “I’ve been here nine years, (so) I’ve been frustrated my fair share of times… (either) one it will crumble you, or two it will motivate you.”

Carr emphasized the importance of practice and that “even when it is hard, you still have to do the right thing.” As the leader of the team, Carr seems to have a sense of urgency in getting the details down now to make sure the team’s best football will be ahead of them.

The Raiders have lost by one possession in each of their first three games and are looking to put together a complete game that will put them in the win column. When asked on Monday about the slow start to the season and what the team can do to right the ship of their season, head coach Josh McDaniels talked about the trust that he has in his players because of the work they put in to improve during practice and in team meetings. He emphasized that if they can be consistent Monday through Friday, then on Sunday they just need to execute.

“Our overall execution from the beginning to the end,” McDaniels said. “That’s what we’re going to need to work on to try and improve and make winning plays all four quarters.”

The Raiders will need to have a plan Sunday in all phases when they take on a divisional foe in the Denver Broncos (2-1) at Allegiant Stadium. Denver has found a way to comeback and secure a win in their last two matchups, so the Raiders will have to be ready for possible last minute heroics from Denver’s newly-acquired QB Russell Wilson. Time will tell if the Raiders put together a full 60 minutes, but one thing is for certain, the Las Vegas Raiders are hungry for a win.