Déjà Boo? The Raiders’ 2025 Squad vs. The 2006 Implosion

After last week’s blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Raider Nation is asking a tough question: When was the last time the Las Vegas Raiders looked this bad?

Right now, this group seems worse than last season’s roster—at least that team showed a pulse. Jon Gruden’s 2018 squad wasn’t good, but it wasn’t this bleak. Even the 2008 JaMarcus Russell-led Raiders managed four wins. It’s hard to imagine this team getting there.

The closest comparison might be the 2006 disaster that finished 2-14. And that raises a bye-week question no one expected: Who would win if the 2025 Raiders faced the 2006 Raiders?

Sure, it’s a ridiculous premise. But it’s the bye week. What else are you doing Sunday? Watching other teams will just spark envy.

So let’s have some fun. The 2006 Raiders win the coin toss and take the ball.

First Quarter

After trading three-and-outs to start the game, the 2006 team starts their second drive at their own 25-yard line. A few Justin Fargas and LaMont Jordan runs later, it is second and nine at their own 37. Oakland quarterback Andrew Walter takes a seven-step drop back to pass and halfway through it, he is strip-sacked by Maxx Crosby and Las Vegas recovers the ball at the Oakland 26.

After a five-yard run by Ashton Jeanty and a 12-yard reception by Brock Bowers, the 2025 Raiders have a first and goal at the nine. After a two-yard Jeanty run and two more Geno Smith incompletions, Las Vegas settles for a field goal.

A long Chris Carr kick return sets Oakland up at Las Vegas 47. An 18-yard catch by Ronald Curry gets the 2006 team down to the 39. After a few more runs, a Fargas swing pass, and another incompletion, Oakland gets a third and two at the 24-yard line. They give the ball up the middle to fullback Zack Crockett, who is tackled for a one-yard loss. The 2006 team is forced to settle for a Sebastian Janikowski field goal before the end of the quarter.

Score: Oakland 3, Las Vegas 3

Second Quarter

The 2025 team starts off the quarter marching down the field. They get all the way down to the opposing 38-yard line. Smith tries to hit Jakobi Meyers on a deep shot… only to be intercepted by Nnamdi Asomugha. The 2006 team has the ball on their own 14. Their drive quickly ends after Walter is sacked on third and five by Tyree Wilson. Oakland punts and Las Vegas gets the ball back at their own 44.

This drive sees a heavy dose of Jeanty and the 2025 team finds themselves with third and three at the 17-yard line. Las Vegas tries to go play action, but Smith is then sacked by Derrick Burgess. Daniel Carlson kicks another field goal. Oakland gets the ball back with just three minutes left in the quarter.

They actually begin moving the ball down the field a bit. They make it all the way down to the Las Vegas 40 for third and six with 17 seconds left. Walter drops back to pass and is sacked by Crosby again for a six-yard loss. Oakland attempts a 63-yard field goal with Janikowski to end the half, but it is wide left.

Score: Oakland 3, Las Vegas 6

Third Quarter

Las Vegas gets the ball to start the half and they quickly start to string a drive together. Eight plays later, they are down to the Oakland 30 after a 20-yard catch by Bowers. Smith looks for Bowers again, but he does not see Kirk Morrison lurking underneath. The pass is intercepted again and Morrison returns it all the way to the Las Vegas 24 before he is pushed out of bounds by Jeanty.

After a two-yard run by Fargas on first down, Walter drops back to pass and finds Ronald Curry in the endzone for a score. Unfortunately, it is called back after an egregious Langston Walker hold against Crosby. Backed up to the 32, Walter throws two incomplete passes and Oakland must settle for another field goal.

After that, Las Vegas goes four plays for 18 yards and punts. Oakland then goes three-and-out again after Walter is sacked for the fifth time this game. This one comes from Malcolm Koonce, who blows by Robert Gallery. The 2006 team punts to end the quarter.

Score: Oakland 6, Las Vegas 6

Fourth Quarter

The field position battle has tilted in favor of the 2025 team as they begin this drive at their own 42. A couple of long runs from Jeanty quickly sees them back in the red zone at the Oakland 18. However, Las Vegas then winds up in third and three at the 11. They try running Jeanty up the middle, hoping to at least set up a fourth and short opportunity, but he is met for no gain by Tommy Kelly and Warren Sapp. Carlson nails his third field goal of the game.

Oakland gets the ball back hoping to tie it up, but it is just more offensive futility. They go six plays for 26 yards and punt. However, Shane Lechler does pin the 2025 team back at their own eight-yard line. Las Vegas is looking to run these last six minutes off the clock, but they only manage one first down before they are forced to punt again. Another solid return from Carr gets Oakland starting off in excellent field position. They have the ball at the Las Vegas 46 with just under four minutes to play.

The Oakland offense is moving the ball…

Oakland actually begins moving the ball pretty well and they have a second down and six at the 28 when the two-minute warning hits. Another incompletion brings us to third and six, when Walter drops back to pass only to find a wide-open Randy Moss in the end zone after he gets lost in a broken coverage. Oakland scores the first touchdown of the game.

Las Vegas, down four and needing a touchdown, begins a frantic two-minute drill. With two timeouts left, they are able to work their way down the field a bit. They get all the way to the Oakland 33, but this is where the 2006 secondary begins to clamp down. After three straight incompletions, it is fourth and ten with 14 seconds left. Smith tries to push down the ball down the field to Dont’e Thornton, but he is picked off for the third time today by rookie safety Michael Huff, who gets his first career interception.

Oakland takes a knee and walks away with the win.

Final Score: Oakland 13, Las Vegas 9