The Las Vegas Raiders need something to go their way for the 2025 season. Yes, I know, the 2024 season literally just ended for them, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about the next season, and believe me, we should probably start doing that because from here on out until after April, all you will hear about is the 2025 NFL Draft.
2024 was terrible for the Raiders, and as a fan displayed during their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the fan base deserves better. Antonio Pierce now has a worse record than Josh McDaniels had as he sits at 9-17 whereas McDaniels was 9-16.
So, there could be a change coming there, too. But, it's obvious after watching this season that the Raiders are not as close to making the postseason as we maybe thought they were.
They have a lot of work to do, and grabbing a quarterback in the draft may be priority No. 1, that is, if they don't move on from Pierce. If they can handle that issue, and get some weapons around the rookie, they should be set up to have a better year in 2025.
Now, I'm not saying that they will make the playoffs, win the Super Bowl, or anything crazy like that, but when you factor in possible roster improvements and one big advantage they have, it's not going to be hard to win more than four games.
Raiders have a big schedule advantage.
This year, you may have noticed, the Raiders were on the road more than they were at home. Now, let's be honest, this year that wouldn't have really mattered at all as they were going to be bad regardless. However, next year it could matter a bit.
In 2025, we already know the Raiders' opponents, in terms of who they play at home and who they play on the road. We still don't know what date and times those games will be, and we will figure that out later in the offseason, but there is an advantage for the Raiders.
They are set to play nine home games this year rather than eight, which they played last year. Having 17 games now gives teams one more game on the road or at home than they usually have.
The Raiders don't have the best home-field advantage, but being home more is better, as it limits travel and other things of that nature. The Raiders get a game at home, and you can't really complain about that. The Raiders ended their season on a low note against the Los Angeles Chargers, but they have a big reason to be happy about 2025.
