Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL bye week is often a turning point for teams— a chance to heal injuries, refine strategy, and reset mentally for the stretch run. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this year’s bye week has been nothing short of transformative, with playoff hopes shifting from “slim” to “bright” as the team returns to action. After a uneven first half of the season marked by close losses and key injuries, the Raiders used their bye week to address weaknesses, welcome back key players, and lock in on a clear path to the postseason. Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the specific changes that have reignited optimism, from health updates to schedule breaks, and why fans and analysts alike are now viewing the Raiders as legitimate playoff contenders. For a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021, the bye week has become a symbol of renewed possibility.

Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the most critical factor: the return of injured key players. Before the bye, the Raiders were dealing with a handful of impactful absences, including left tackle Kolton Miller (knee sprain) and safety Tre’von Moehrig (hamstring strain)—both of whom are vital to the team’s success on offense and defense. During the bye week, head coach Josh McDaniels confirmed that Miller had fully participated in practice and would start in the Raiders’ first post-bye game against the New York Jets. Moehrig, meanwhile, was cleared for contact drills and is expected to return to his starting role within the next two weeks. The bye week also allowed running back Josh Jacobs to rest a nagging ankle injury, with McDaniels noting that Jacobs “looks fresher and more explosive” in practice. “Injuries were holding us back early,” McDaniels said in a post-bye press conference. “Having these guys back healthy changes everything—they’re difference-makers on both sides of the ball.” For fans, the return of Miller and Moehrig eliminates two major vulnerabilities, while a healthier Jacobs ensures the Raiders’ run game—their offensive backbone—remains potent.

Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders continues with the coaching staff’s strategic adjustments, which were refined during the bye week’s extended film study and practice time. Offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi revealed that the Raiders have revamped their passing game to better utilize wide receiver Davante Adams, who was underutilized in the first half of the season (averaging just 6.2 targets per game). The new scheme will feature more “iso” packages for Adams—lining him up one-on-one against opposing cornerbacks—and increased play-action passes to create space for him to make catches downfield. On defense, coordinator Patrick Graham has added a new “nickel rush” package that will deploy defensive end Maxx Crosby in more versatile roles, including blitzing from the slot to exploit mismatches with opposing tight ends. “The bye week gave us time to look at what wasn’t working and fix it,” Lombardi explained. “We’re not reinventing the wheel—we’re just making sure we’re putting our best players in positions to succeed.” These adjustments were tested in a closed practice scrimmage against local college teams, with players reporting positive results: Adams caught 8 passes for 120 yards in the scrimmage, while Crosby recorded 3 sacks in the nickel package.

Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders includes a look at the Raiders’ favorable remaining schedule, which has emerged as a key reason for growing playoff optimism. After the bye, the Raiders face six opponents with a combined winning percentage of .420—one of the easiest remaining schedules among AFC teams vying for playoff spots. Four of these games are at home (Allegiant Stadium), where the Raiders have a 4-1 record this season, including matchups against playoff contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. The Raiders also have two winnable road games against the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, both of whom are struggling to stay in playoff contention. “Our schedule sets up perfectly for a run,” said McDaniels. “We have home games against teams we need to beat, and road games against teams we should beat—if we play our best football.” Analysts have taken notice: ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) now gives the Raiders a 62% chance of making the playoffs, up from 38fore the bye week. For the Las Vegas Raiders, the schedule break isn’t just luck—it’s an opportunity to stack wins and climb the AFC standings before the regular season ends.

Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders delves into the team’s renewed morale, which has been palpable in post-bye practices and media sessions. Players have spoken openly about the bye week’s role in rebuilding confidence, with Adams noting that the team used the time to “reset mentally” after a string of frustrating losses. The Raiders also held a team bonding event during the bye— a casual barbecue at Allegiant Stadium—where players and coaches discussed their shared goal of making the playoffs. “That event was exactly what we needed,” said quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. “We laughed, we talked about what we need to do better, and we left with a clear focus. This team feels like a family again.” The morale boost has translated to practice intensity, with McDaniels praising the team’s “energy and focus” in recent workouts. Even veterans like Crosby, who has been vocal about the team’s playoff aspirations, have noticed a change: “You can feel it in the locker room—everyone believes we can do this. The bye week gave us that spark back.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, morale isn’t just a intangible—it’s a tangible factor that affects performance on the field, and the post-bye mood suggests the team is ready to compete at a higher level.

Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the statistical momentum that has aligned in the Raiders’ favor. Before the bye, the Raiders ranked 22nd in total offense and 19th in total defense—but recent trends suggest improvement. Over their last three games before the bye, the Raiders averaged 26.3 points per game (up from 21.1 in their first five games) and held opponents to 19.7 points per game (down from 24.5). The run game, in particular, has been dominant: Jacobs has rushed for 100+ yards in two of his last three games, and the Raiders’ offensive line has allowed just 2 sacks in that span. Defensively, Crosby has recorded 4 sacks in his last three games, and the secondary has intercepted 3 passes—signs that the unit is starting to gel. “The stats don’t lie—we were already improving before the bye,” said team statistician Brian Decker. “The bye week just gave us time to build on that momentum.” For fans, these stats aren’t just numbers—they’re proof that the Raiders’ playoff hopes are grounded in reality, not just optimism. In the end, Playoff Hopes Brighten After Bye Week for the Las Vegas Raiders is a story of second chances. The bye week gave the Raiders time to heal, adjust, and refocus—and now, with healthy players, better strategy, a favorable schedule, and renewed morale, the team is poised to make a serious playoff push. For the Las Vegas Raiders and their fans, the post-bye season isn’t just about winning games—it’s about reclaiming the franchise’s winning legacy.