Hoping to make the playoffs for the first time during Jon Gruden's second stint with the team, the stakes are higher than ever for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into the 2021 NFL season. In this specific piece, we'll be making our Las Vegas Raiders predictions for the 2021 NFL season.
With Derek Carr set to be back fully healthy, and Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller looking to make a huge impact next season, this upstart Raiders squad is looking to overachieve in 2021 and make a surprise playoff run.
It may seem like a long shot, but given how much talent they possess on both sides of the ball, the Las Vegas Raiders are capable of accomplishing this feat. Under Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden, the Raiders definitely have shot at doing something special next season.
With all this said, let's take a detailed look at four bold predictions for the Raiders during the 2021 NFL season.
Las Vegas Raiders Predictions
Derek Carr will play MVP-caliber football in 2021
During the 2020 NFL season, Derek Carr had a 101.4 quarterback rating and threw for 4,103 yards to go along with 27 touchdowns. Despite battling through a groin injury late in the season, Carr still completed 67.3% of his passes and got them within one play of making the playoffs last season.
In 2021, he'll look to pick up right where he left off and play with the grit and determination that got the Raiders just a few yards shy of a playoff appearance. Now that he's had an entire offseason to rest and recuperate, he'll undoubtedly put up big numbers during the 2021 NFL season. With all this in mind, Derek Carr will continue to get better and have an MVP-caliber season while looking to lead the Raiders back to the playoffs.
Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake will form an elite rushing attack
The addition of Kenyan Drake will be a huge boost to the Raiders rushing attack in 2021 and he will form an electric running back duo with Josh Jacobs. This will give Las Vegas one of the league's best running back rotations and a more versatile approach to their running game. Implementing a steady dose of Jacobs and Drake into the Raiders offense will give them a more comprehensive running game while also showcasing one of the league's most potent rushing attacks.
Already boasting top-notch deep threats in Darren Waller and Henry Ruggs III, Drake adds an exciting new element to their offense and will give coach Jon Gruden another multi-skilled Pro Bowl caliber talent to work with. If the Raiders can properly utilize the skillsets of both Kenyan Drake and Josh Jacobs, then the rest of the league better watch out because this Las Vegas team will be a tough out in the playoffs.
The Las Vegas Raiders will have a top-1o defense
Currently boasting a ton of new talent on the defense with the additions of K.J. Wright, Casey Hayward, Denzel Perryman, and Yannick Ngakoue, the Raiders will be one of the premier defensive units during the 2021 NFL season. Add to that Carl Nassib, Jonathan Abram, and Quinton Jefferson and the Raiders are as deep and dynamic as any team in the league.
With a perfect balance of elite pass rushing, lockdown man coverage, and stellar zone defense, Las Vegas will have a plethora of playmakers on defense that can take their team to the next level in 2021. Having said all this, the Raiders will have a ton of depth and talent that can transform them into a top-1o defensive unit in the NFL.
The Las Vegas Raiders will make the playoffs in 2021
Looking to make the postseason for the first time in Jon Gruden's second stint with the team, the Las Vegas Raiders are revamped and ready to make some noise next season. In a crowded AFC and ultra-competitive AFC West, the Raiders will now possess the talent to hold their own against the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos while looking to join the AFC wild card race in 2021. Hoping to get over the hump next season and make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Las Vegas Raiders are set-up nicely heading in the 2021-22 NFL season.
With a star-studded line-up on both sides of the ball, this up-and-coming Raiders squad will be full of surprises and aiming to take the league by storm in their quest to get back to the postseason and make a surprise playoff run in 2021. With all this going for the Raiders, things are finally starting to look up in Las Vegas and they've now got a playoff caliber team that can climb the ranks of the AFC and make a big splash during the NFL playoffs in 2021.
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