Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders

What began as a promising 5-3 start—one that had Raiders Nation daring to dream of a playoff return—has quickly unraveled for the Las Vegas Raiders. A brutal stretch of four losses in five games has dropped their record to 6-7, turning early-season optimism into growing anxiety. Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders digs into how this sudden downturn isn’t just a blip, but a red flag that reignites longstanding doubts: Can this team play with consistency? Does it have the resilience to close out tight games? And after three straight losing seasons, is the franchise truly on track to compete? For the Raiders, this slump is more than a late-season setback—it’s a test of whether their rebuild is built to last.

Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders starts with the pattern of costly collapse that defines the slump. Each recent loss tells a similar story: flashes of potential undone by critical mistakes. Against the Cleveland Browns, they blew a 10-point third-quarter lead in a 31-27 defeat; vs. the Denver Broncos, they fell 24-17 to extend their divisional losing streak to three; and against the Indianapolis Colts, a missed late field goal sent the game to overtime, where they lost 20-17. Even when individual players shined—quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for 300+ yards in two of these games, and defensive end Maxx Crosby notched a sack in all three—turnovers, missed tackles, and shoddy clock management sealed their fate. “This isn’t bad luck—it’s a pattern,” head coach Antonio Pierce said after the Colts loss. “We have the talent to win these games, but we’re making mistakes when the game is on the line. That’s concerning, plain and simple.”

Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders delves into the offensive stall that’s fueling the slide. After averaging 28 points per game in the first eight weeks, the offense has sputtered to just 20 points per game in the last five. O’Connell, once a breakout hopeful, has thrown seven interceptions in this stretch—including a pick-six against the Browns—and struggled to connect with Davante Adams in crunch time. The running game, already thin without Josh Jacobs (sidelined two games with an ankle injury), has dropped from 112 yards per game to 85. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s playcalling has come under fire, too—fans and analysts criticize his overreliance on passing in short-yardage situations and failure to adjust when defenses shut down their first look. “They were rolling early, but now defenses have figured them out,” a former NFL offensive lineman-turned-analyst noted. “The offense isn’t adapting, and that’s killing their chances.”

Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders examines how defensive flaws have compounded the crisis. The defense still ranks top-10 in sacks (thanks to Crosby’s 13), but it’s fallen apart in two key areas: run defense and closing games. During the slump, they’ve allowed 120 rushing yards per game—up from 95 in the first eight weeks—and given up game-winning drives in three of five losses. The secondary, supposed to improve with safety Justin Simmons, has been torched: the Browns’ Amari Cooper hauled in 120 yards and a TD, while the Colts’ Michael Pittman Jr. added 115 yards and a score. Rookie cornerback Jakorian Bennett, once promising, has been targeted repeatedly, allowing 80+ yards in three straight games. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this inability to hold leads is devastating—it forces an already struggling offense to chase points, increasing the pressure to avoid mistakes. “Closing games on defense is non-negotiable,” defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. “Right now, we’re not doing that, and it’s costing us wins.”

Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the erosion of morale—inside the locker room and among fans. Allegiant Stadium, packed for the first eight home games, saw a 15% attendance drop in the last two, with empty upper-deck seats visible during the Broncos loss. Season-ticket holders have taken to social media to vent, some threatening to cancel next season if things don’t change. Inside the locker room, tension is visible: players are quiet in post-game pressers, and Pierce has had to address reports of “communication gaps” between coaches and players. For the Las Vegas Raiders, unity is now a make-or-break factor—fracture now, and the season could spiral further. “Pointing fingers won’t fix this,” Crosby, a team leader, said. “We need to look in the mirror, fix our mistakes, and play like the Raiders.”

Slipping Record Sparks Concerns for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with what the slump means for the rest of the season—and beyond. With three games left (vs. Chiefs, Chargers, Patriots), playoff hopes are nearly gone: they’re three games back of the final wild-card spot, needing to win out and get massive help. But even if they miss the playoffs, how they finish matters. A strong close could justify sticking with Pierce and O’Connell; a continued slide might bring coaching changes and a rebuild reset. “This stretch tests our character,” general manager Tom Telesco said. “We’ll learn a lot about our team over these three weeks, and we’ll use that to get better next season.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, the slipping record has turned the final weeks into more than a push for playoffs—it’s a fight to save their franchise’s direction.