Southern Takeover: Raiders Must Capitalize Versus Vulnerable Teams

In the middle of their 2022 schedule, the Las Vegas Raiders face a tricky but manageable slew of games that they need to win.

The 2022 NFL season is going to be a gauntlet of unprecedented proportions for every AFC team. Regardless of their playoff aspirations, due to a vast majority of teams are also in a playoff push. Assuming most of the major moves click, the fate of these teams comes down to the schedule.

Southern Hospitality

With the AFC West measuring up a step ahead of other divisions, talent-wise, the Las Vegas Raiders’ six divisional matchups will obviously play a crucial role. Although the results of the games amongst the AFC West will carry the most significance, the Raiders find themselves with a three-game stretch against teams from the two “South” divisions. As a result, that could significantly increase the team’s chances at a playoff spot.

Horns Down

This three-game stretch falls at a point in the schedule that could take the team’s bye “get right” week. As a result, wins could transform this time and turn it into a “get right” month. Coming off of their Week 6 bye, following five straight games against projected playoff teams, the Raiders will welcome the Houston Texans. Projected to be led by Davis Mills, and coming off a 4-13 record in 2021, the Texans sit firmly in rebuild mode. The age-old mantra of “any given Sunday” rings loudly here, as this could be the game the Raiders feel the most confident about penciling in a “W” before the game has even kicked off.

Brawl On Bourbon Street

If done correctly, the biggest challenge of the Raiders’ journey through the Souths will come in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints. After losing quarterback Jameis Winston for the season in 2021’s Week 8, the Saints did not exactly take a nosedive as many expected and finished out the season at 9-8. Prior to the injury, Winston appeared to be adjusting to his Lasik surgery quite well, as his interceptions were down while his completion percentage was rising. Expected to be in a bit of cap hell this season, the Saints avoided having to decimate the team to comply with cap rules, and have a roster fully capable of repeating their 9-8 record, at least.

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Not The Same Jaguars

But, the Raiders will be coming off a bye week and a game against the Texans, so the squad should be well-rested enough to bring their A game. Following the battle with the Saints, the Raiders will head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. After coming away with a new coach and taking Travon Walker as the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, morale around the Jaguars camp has to be improving. However, it remains unlikely that a morale boost will take this team too much further this season. Many projected them to finish in the bottom portion of the league. But, with Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen starting to cut their teeth as professionals, the Jaguars look ready for Week 9.

Seize The Day

Obviously, playing three straight teams from South divisions has little impact on division standings, but three wins against any team could play a major role come playoff time. The Raiders do not have a particularly easy schedule in 2022, so any stretch of games where wins can be taken should be capitalized upon.