By Jordan Long
The Las Vegas Raiders are set to take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday. They look to snap a 3 game losing streak. No matter the outcome of the game, Head Coach Josh McDaniels’ job is safe for now.
This is McDaniels’ first season as the Head Coach of the Raiders. The Raiders hired him on January 31, 2021. The Raiders were looking for a Head Coach after Jon Gruden resigned on October 28th, 2021. At the time, the Raiders were 3-2. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia was the Interim Head Coach. He guided the Riders to a 7-5 mark, earning a playoff spot. Unfortunately, the Raiders lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round. It was a surprise the Raiders didn’t hire Bisaccia back. They let him go and hired McDaniels.
McDaniels only experience as a Head Coach was with the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2010. He finished with a disappointing record of 11-17. In 2018 McDaniels had a chance to be the Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts. McDaniels, though, withdrew from the job on February 6th, 2018 and returned to New England to continue being their Offensive Coordinator. The Raiders were hoping his coaching style would improve the play of quarterback Derek Carr. It also helped that they traded for wide receiver Devante Adams from Green Bay on March 18, 2022. The Raiders expected the offense to be one of the best in the NFL.
It hasn’t worked. The Raiders are 2-7, last place in the AFC West. The offense is able to go down the field. They avarage 228.6 yards per game through the air, 12th in the NFL. The Raiders use the running game to open the passing game, gaining 106.6 yards per game 24th in the NFL.
The problem with the Raiders is the defense has struggled. They allow 376.1 yards per game, 28th in the NFL. When it comes to stopping the pass, they permit 250 yards per game, 26th in the league. Teams can also use their running game effectively which keeps drives alive for the opponents and tires out the Raiders’ defense. Teams run for an avarage of 126.1 yards on this defense. The Raiders can’t stop rival teams from scoring, giving up the 28th most points per game in the NFL at 25.1 points per game.
Even though it hasn’t been the beginning of the year the Raiders anticipated, Owner Mark Davis isn’t ready to let go of McDaniels yet. According to ESPN.com, Davis said, “People in today’s world want instant gratification. The guy’s coached nine games. We’re 2-7, not the results we’re looking for but at the same time we’ve lost six one-score games with the ball and a chance to win at the end. I gave him my vote of confidence when I signed him to a contract to be coach of the Raiders. That’s when I gave it to him.” Davis also added, “Rome was not built in a day.”
The Raiders are eager for a better result this Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Another loss and the cries for McDaniels to be replaced may be louder. The truth is, McDaniels needs more than a year to turn the team around. If he survives the year, then next year it’s playoffs or bust. If it is another losing season then think about letting him go. For right now, McDaniels deserves to coach out the rest of the schedule plus one more year. NFL fans want winners, but they can’t replace a coach after one losing season when it’s their first year there.
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