The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to take a step in the right direction in 2025 with Pete Carroll as head coach, but one NFL analyst believes the team will far exceed expectations.
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski predicts the Raiders will post a 10-7 record this season, which would be the franchise's best season since 2021 and third double-digit win campaign since 2016.
"Las Vegas isn't ready to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won nine straight division titles, but it's not difficult to imagine a world where Carroll's approach allows the Raiders to more than double last year's win total (4-13)," Sobleski wrote.
Las Vegas has been held back by inept quarterback play over the last few years, but that shouldn't be a problem moving forward, as they acquired Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
Smith isn't a high-level starter, but he led the Seahawks to three straight winning seasons from 2022 to 2024 and should flourish in a Raiders' offense with a bunch of exciting playmakers, including Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and Ashton Jeanty.
The defense, led by defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby, should also be solid. However, there are some concerns in the secondary, and the health of star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is also a major question mark.
Overall, the Carroll-led Raiders should be much improved in 2025. Ten wins will be tough to achieve, but it is definitely possible, especially if Smith elevates the talent around him.
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