What Is the Biggest Issue for The Raiders at This Point?
Since their Week 1 win versus their division rival, the Raiders have lost three straight games and are becoming a team that could potentially have an even worse season than they did last year. Every team has a flaw if not multiple. For the Raiders, many looked at the defense as the Achilles heel of the silver and black’s success in recent memory. But surprisingly, they aren’t the blatant reason that this team isn’t having the early success they should. In fact, one could argue the offensive production has been holding this team back from being better than they could be more so than the defense. But despite the lack of production with a number of quality talent on both sides of the football, the true reason the silver and black isn’t being looked as a true threat in the AFC is their head coach, Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels had a history for lack of success as a former head coach and years later with a clean state and a playoff caliber team the year prior, it seems that nothing has changed. In 21 games as the Raiders head coach, his record is 7-14. Keep in mind, it’s not like he had lack of talent. McDaniels currently has the best receiver in the league in Davante Adams, the leading rusher last year in Josh Jacobs, one of the best defensive ends in Maxx Crosby, and he has one of the best slot receivers in the league in Hunter Renfrow; Not to mention some of the high caliber players he let go take their talents elsewhere that were integral parts of the playoff roster the year prior to his hiring. With these current pieces and many more not named, most coaches in the league would have this roster be viewed as a potential playoff contender later in the season.
Five weeks into the 2023 season, its been more apparent that McDaniels lack of discipline, lack of understanding for situational play-calling, and overall decision making as a head coach has been more of the reason that the Raiders are where they are currently. The Raiders players went out there and made their mistakes that would lead to an eventual loss, but McDaniels, particularly in late game situations, cost the Raiders two back to back potential games up to this point in the season. Sure, the team could still lose those games had he made better decisions, but McDaniels handicapped the silver and black’s chances with his decisions.
There’s still time to figure things out and in the unpredictable world of football, anything’s possible. But these next few weeks, the microscope is on McDaniels and if he can get out of his own way as a head coach in order for the Raiders to get back on track. If the Raiders want to go anywhere with this group of talent they have, McDaniels must be better. If not, Raiders owner, Mark Davis, must search yet again for better coaching elsewhere.
