Predict the 2026 record - your realistic expectations

[Viper]

With Mendoza needing time to adjust, an unproven O line and what I consider average receivers, I’m not really expecting to light it up on offense.

Defensively, we should be at least middle of the pack. That should go a long ways in helping stack wins.

Having said that, we are improved across the board yet still more work to do. I would predict we have 6 wins this year, double what we had last year. If Pete can manage 3 last year, I have faith with a better coaching staff we can do better. If we can beat the teams we’re supposed to plus staying close in the 4th quarter against better talent, we have a punchers chance in some of those.

Personally, at least another year or two to make some real noise if we nail FA and the draft.

[Raiders Baby]

The only thing I truly care about this year is that Klint and Mendoza show serious promise. It’s like the old Justice Potter Stewart axiom “I’ll know it when I see it”.

I want Klint to look decisive, make smart choices in game management, and for the offense to look like it communicates well and plays with intention. Blockers that work in concert, points on the board.

I want Mendoza to mirror many of those same traits on the field. I want him to show arm strength and accuracy, and to show he has a feel for the game at the pro level. I want him to show general upward trajectory every time he plays, and to not make the same mistake twice.

How many more wins will this lead to? Who knows. This is a redshirt year, if at the end of the year it feels like we checked those two boxes, I’ll personally believe the plan is mostly on track. Maybe we need to make some tweaks and add some players, but as long as there is an obvious way forward after this season, I’ll be happy. Low bar, totally subjective, but it’s kind of a weird year that way

[SkullCrusher]

The only thing I truly care about this year is that Klint and Mendoza show serious promise. It’s like the old Justice Potter Stewart axiom “I’ll know it when I see it”.

Yep that's it.
The last time I said this was Gannon and the team really building up. Early in the 2000 season, you could just tell we belonged.
2016 was a late blossom for me, it's like shit this could happen, were as good as anyone, then crack.

[raiderjohn]

It's a long year, slow start and this group has to stick together through it. I would love to get off to a fast start, but the sked, is rough.

1-6 to start, Miami W

1-3 beat NYJ (would love to take down the Whiners)

5-1 upsets (coming off the bye) over the Donkeys and Bolts

7-10, if we can somehow get the Whiners 8-9.

3-9 is rough to see at the start going into the bye, but this staff will get them off the schnide and have them focused on football, not the media.

[raidersince63]

Wins are secondary to grooming this young group of players for the future...we are in year 1 of a full rebuild.

[mstrbass2000]

Wins are secondary to grooming this young group of players for the future...we are in year 1 of a full rebuild.

THIS IS TRUE BUT WE ALSO GOTTA SEE...this teams gotta show improvement over last yr and the offense has to look like a pro offense with a solid game plan utilizing our best talents the right way, last yr was a disaster and we still managed wins

[GoodTimeCharlie]

THIS IS TRUE BUT WE ALSO GOTTA SEE...this teams gotta show improvement over last yr and the offense has to look like a pro offense with a solid game plan utilizing our best talents the right way, last yr was a disaster and we still managed wins

They improved on last year when they got out of bed and didn’t trip over their slippers and fall to their deaths.

I wonder what a Colts fan saw in their team after their 1998 season when their rookie won 3 games. He did go on to win 2 Super Bowls. Would have had more if he didn’t come up in the same era of our minority owner.

What do you think a Cowgirl fan saw in their rookie QB and rookie Head Coach after that 1 win season in 1989?

From what I can tell after just the preseason, the weather in here will be falling skies all season long.

[mstrbass2000]

They improved on last year when they got out of bed and didn’t trip over their slippers and fall to their deaths.

I wonder what a Colts fan saw in their team after their 1998 season when their rookie won 3 games. He did go on to win 2 Super Bowls. Would have had more if he didn’t come up in the same era of our minority owner.

What do you think a Cowgirl fan saw in their rookie QB and rookie Head Coach after that 1 win season in 1989?

From what I can tell after just the preseason, the weather in here will be falling skies all season long.

im not a colts fan or a cowgirl fan but i am a realistic raiderfan whom has gone thru all the losing for the last 20+ yrs in a row...show me improvements and ill believe it, until then nothing is written down that we are improved

[Rabidraider]

Just promise that no one says "Stink for Smith" until after Thanksgiving....

[RunOverByHubbard]

With Bowers missing two games I am changing from 7-10 to 6-11.

[Viper]

With Bowers missing two games I am changing from 7-10 to 6-11.

I haven’t heard but has it been confirmed only 2 games?

[KillerRaider30]

Now that the pre-season hype has quieted and we're a day out-

We were the worst team in the NFL w 3 wins last year.

The oline still is a big question mark minus the center & LT.

We dont have a #1 WR. Fact is all the WRs are WR2 or worse and they drop balls. <-lol

Brock is out probably 6 weeks and MM is a nice average TE.

Rob Leonards defense is unknown and will get schooled by vet coaches many times.

Maxx and Koonce are coming off injury.

They cant stop the run up the middle.

The defensive backfield is a bunch of 23 year olds.

They dont have a thumper safety.

I know coaching coaching coaching is better but at the point of attack the Raiders dont have the fire power at so many positions.

Add its a brand new scheme on offense and defense. They have, what, 3 months in it?

5 wins i hope im wrong.

[raider_kin]

Now that the pre-season hype has quieted and we're a day out-

We were the worst team in the NFL w 3 wins last year.

The oline still is a big question mark minus the center & LT.

We dont have a #1 WR. Fact is all the WRs are WR2 or worse and they drop balls. <-lol

Brock is out probably 6 weeks and MM is a nice average TE.

Rob Leonards defense is unknown and will get schooled by vet coaches many times.

Maxx and Koonce are coming off injury.

They cant stop the run up the middle.

The defensive backfield is a bunch of 23 year olds.

They dont have a thumper safety.

I know coaching coaching coaching is better but at the point of attack the Raiders dont have the fire power at so many positions.

Add its a brand new scheme on offense and defense. They have, what, 3 months in it?

5 wins i hope im wrong.

Concur; I'm calling 5 wins