The Las Vegas Raiders have not won a game since September when they walked away victorious against the Cleveland Browns back in Week 4—the 2024 NFL season could not end any sooner for the Silver and Black. Being that this season no longer has any meaning for Sin City, Raider Nation is pivoting towards focusing on the upcoming draft this April.
However, Antonio Pierce and his coaching staff aren’t ready to call it a year. They want to win, even if it takes the Raiders out of contention for a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Up next on Las Vegas’ schedule is the Atlanta Falcons, who wish to keep their season alive with a win at Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night Football. Atlanta is on a four-game losing streak and desperately needs to return to the win column if they wish to punch their ticket into the postseason come January.
Will the Raiders be able to fend off the Falcons and pick up their third win of the season? That answer is dependent on how these storylines play out in Week 15.
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 key storylines that will help decide Week 15’s outcome
All things considered, the Raiders are in prime position to have a high pick in this year’s annual NFL draft. While a win is always good for team morale, failing to beat the Falcons would keep Las Vegas en route for a top pick and therefore may be more beneficial than a win.
A main reason for the team’s struggles is the poor play at the quarterback position. That may change in Week 15, however, as Desmond Ridder is set to potentially start his first game since arriving in Las Vegas.
Will Desmond Ridder have a revenge game?
Although Aidan O’Connell has exhibited outstanding poise and composure, he may not be available this week. On a high-effort play the week prior, O’Connell escaped the pocket and delivered a pass to Jakobi Meyers. Unfortunately, a late push added some extra pressure to his knee and created a bone bruise.
In an unlikely turn of events, O’Connell’s injury may pave the way for Ridder to start against the team that drafted him two years ago.
Ridder began his career in Atlanta as a rookie in 2022 but couldn’t find success. During his sophomore season, in what was his first year as a starting quarterback in the NFL, the Cincinnati alum was able to throw for only 12 touchdowns. Additionally, he threw the ball to the other team 12 times as well.
While Ridder has yet to show that he can lead his team to wins, finishing his ’23 campaign with a 6-7 record, that can change moving forward—starting with this week.
Sincere McCormick continuing his resurgence with the Las Vegas Raiders
Visualizing No. 28 running the football feels familiar, but it isn’t quite the same as it was a handful of years ago. On top of being two years younger, this No. 28 is still in a Raiders’ jersey. More than that, he’s currently averaging an astonishing five yards per touch.
Sincere McCormick has proved that he deserves a consistent role in Las Vegas’ offense.
Zamir White has been placed on the injured reserves list and is out for the season, while Alexander Mattison continues nursing an ankle injury that’s sidelined him for the past three weeks. Sin City’s running back room is desperately pleading for a spark; for that reason, McCormick will continue to expand his role and receive more touches.
K’Lavon Chaisson reviving his career
A first-round pick performing the way K’Lavon Chaisson has would not surprise many. In fact, had Chaisson played like this for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team that spent a first-round selection on him in the 2020 NFL Draft, they would’ve been sure to keep him around at the expiration of his rookie contract.
Chaisson has been on a hot streak over the last few weeks and seems to have completely revived his young career. His performances will land him a new contract soon, whether that’s with the Raiders or elsewhere.
In Week 13, against the Kansas City Chiefs, Chaisson was able to take down Patrick Mahomes on two occasions. The following week, this past Sunday, the 25-year-old earned a sack, tackle for loss, pass break-up, and even got himself an interception.
The play of the fifth-year edge rusher will raise questions in Las Vegas this offseason. Will the Raiders choose to bring back Malcolm Koonce, or will they lean towards giving Chaisson a contract extension instead? Of course, it’s always possible the team elects to bring both back in 2025. Choosing whether to give Koonce or Chaisson—or both—a contract extension is undoubtedly a beneficial problem to have, but a decision will need to be made in due time nonetheless.
*Top Photo: USA TODAY SPORTS
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