Raiders' Win-Loss Predictions for 2023 NFL Season | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

After watching the Raiders in the preseason, I'm a tad higher on Las Vegas than I was earlier in the offseason. While the talent level isn't superb, the players seem to have bought into what head coach Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are selling.

I have a feeling that fans will see a Raiders team that was much more similar to the 2021 incarnation—a scrappy squad that frequently found ways to hang against more talented opponents—than last year's team.

I also fully expect Jacobs to end his hold out early in the season, if not before, since he stands to lose his $10.1 million guaranteed salary by not reporting.

If Jacobs returns, Garoppolo stays healthy and receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers perform as expected, the offense could be quite good.

However, Las Vegas shouldn't be viewed as a title contender. The Raiders face a very difficult schedule (.524) in terms of 2022 winning percentage. They'll open that slate with two consecutive road games, face road games against likely playoff contenders like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins and must contend with a stacked division.

I'm not fully sold on the idea of Sean Payton fixing all of Denver's problems immediately, either, so I think there's a real chance that Las Vegas can avoid a last-place finish in the AFC West.

Win-Loss Prediction: 7-10

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