Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders

With just three days between their Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos and a critical Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders have launched a streamlined, high-intensity preparation plan designed to maximize efficiency in every phase. Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just about cramming practice into fewer days; it’s a carefully calibrated approach that cuts through non-essentials, prioritizes key game-planning elements, and doubles down on player recovery—all to ensure the team is sharp, healthy, and ready to compete for a wild-card spot. In the NFL, where short weeks often lead to disjointed performances, the Raiders’ methodical preparation aims to turn time constraints into a competitive advantage.

Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the team’s compressed practice schedule, which trims traditional drills to focus only on high-impact, game-specific scenarios. Instead of two-hour practices with full walkthroughs, the Raiders are holding 90-minute “speed sessions” that alternate between offensive and defensive situational work: 20 minutes on red-zone plays, 20 minutes on third-down conversions, 20 minutes on two-minute drills, and 30 minutes on special teams (kickoffs, punts, and field goals). There are no full-team scrimmages—instead, players run “skeleton drills” (offense vs. defense with only skill positions and linemen) to reinforce play calls without risking injury. “We can’t waste a minute,” said head coach Josh McDaniels after Monday’s first practice. “Every drill has a purpose, every rep is game-specific. Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders means we’re not just practicing—we’re practicing the exact plays we’ll run on Sunday. No fluff, no distractions.”

Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders turns to the team’s film study approach, which has shifted from group sessions to personalized, position-specific breakdowns. Instead of 60-minute team film meetings, the Raiders are splitting players into position groups for 30-minute “targeted sessions”: quarterbacks and wide receivers review Chargers’ coverage tendencies, offensive linemen study pass-rush moves from Chargers edge rushers, and defensive backs analyze Justin Herbert’s favorite passing windows. Each player also receives a 10-minute “quick-hit” video (sent via team tablet) that highlights the three most critical tendencies to watch for from their direct opponent—like Joey Bosa’s preference for speed-to-power moves or Keenan Allen’s slot route patterns. “Film study on a short week has to be laser-focused,” said offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. “We’re not asking players to memorize every Chargers play—just the ones that will affect their position. Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders means giving players the exact information they need, when they need it, so they can process it fast.”

Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders highlights how the Las Vegas Raiders’ medical and strength staff have ramped up recovery protocols to keep players fresh amid back-to-back games. The team added two extra recovery sessions per day: a 7 a.m. “active recovery” workout (yoga, swimming, and light stretching) and a 6 p.m. “recovery lab” session (cryotherapy, massage, and compression boots) for players with minor soreness. The training table has also been adjusted: meals now include anti-inflammatory foods (salmon, leafy greens, turmeric smoothies) to reduce muscle tightness, and players are required to log 8+ hours of sleep via a team sleep-tracking app (with coaches checking in on sleep data each morning). Even travel plans are optimized for recovery: the Raiders will fly to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon (instead of Saturday night) to give players more time to rest in their hotel rooms. “Recovery is just as important as practice on a short week,” said head athletic trainer Tom McMahon. “If our players are sore or tired, all the game-planning in the world won’t help. The Las Vegas Raiders are treating recovery like a position—we’re staffing it, scheduling it, and holding players accountable to it. Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders means we’re protecting our most valuable asset: our players’ health.”

Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the team’s simplified game plan, which pares down the playbook to focus on “proven winners” rather than complex new schemes. The Raiders are cutting their usual 70-play playbook to 40 core plays—25 running plays (mostly between-the-tackles runs for Josh Jacobs) and 15 passing plays (slants, outs, and deep posts for Davante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins). There are no new trick plays, no exotic formations, and no last-minute adjustments—just the plays the team has run most successfully this season (a 65% success rate on those 40 plays, per team data). The defense is also simplifying: instead of 10 different coverages, they’ll run 5 base coverages, with linebackers and defensive backs focusing on assignment discipline over complex rotations. “Complexity kills you on a short week,” said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “Players can’t learn new schemes in three days—they can only execute what they already know. The Las Vegas Raiders are leaning into our strengths, not trying to reinvent the wheel. Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders means playing to win with what we do best, not what we wish we could do.”

Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the team’s focus on accountability, which has become a cornerstone of their short-week approach. Each player is assigned a “accountability partner”—a teammate in the same position group—to review play calls after practice, quiz each other on tendencies, and report any confusion to coaches immediately. Coaches are also holding “check-ins” every four hours: McDaniels meets with coordinators to review practice progress, position coaches check in with players to address questions, and the medical staff updates the team on injury statuses. Even veteran players like Derek Carr and Maxx Crosby have taken on leadership roles, leading impromptu “walkthroughs” in the locker room to reinforce play calls. “On a short week, you can’t afford miscommunication,” Carr said after Tuesday’s practice. “Everyone has to be on the same page, every play. The Las Vegas Raiders are holding each other to a higher standard because we know time is against us. Short Week Preparation Underway for the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just a plan—it’s a promise to each other that we’ll be ready. For a playoff spot, for Raider Nation, for this team—we’re not letting a short week stop us.” As the Raiders head into their final practice on Wednesday, their preparation isn’t just about beating the Chargers—it’s about proving that even with limited time, discipline and focus can turn challenges into victories.