At the halfway point of the season, none of the once-realistic dreams Raiders fans had under coach Josh McDaniels are possible. Not after Las Vegas lost three consecutive games as a favorite to drop to 2-7, the worst record in the NFL.

The Raiders will not win the AFC West or reach the playoffs for either the first or second consecutive years. With his numbers falling, Quarterback Derek Carr won’t be a dark horse for the Most Valuable Player award. Maxx Crosby, the star edge rusher, is not the Defensive Player Of The Year. He plays a defense that may be the worst in the league.

Another disappointing season for a team and a fan base that is all too familiar with them. Over the past 20 seasons, only one NFL team–the Cleveland Browns –has more combined wins than Raiders.

However, that doesn’t mean that the second half, which begins with Week 11 at Denver on November 20, isn’t worth your time. There is still much to learn and intrigue. These are the four main points to keep in mind as the Raiders close out the season.

Who stays? M C Daniels or Carr?

The most unlikely answer seems to be “Both” returning. If a team fails to meet expectations, it will usually move on from the coach, quarterback, or both.

Mark Davis, Raiders owner, would find it easier to end his relationship with Carr. The contract extension was signed by the ninth-year quarterback in the offseason. However, it is not guaranteed until three days following the Super Bowl. This gives the Raiders an opportunity to remove him with a minimal penalty to their salary cap.

Davis paid Jack Del Rio, a former coach who was fired in 2017, a settlement with Jon Gruden (who resigned mid-season last season) is apparently still in place. Davis will pay three head coaches next season if McDaniels is fired.

McDaniels will face backlash, especially from the Raiders’ fan base. There could also be internal dissent, particularly from Davante Adams, the wide receiver and team’s best player.

Adams asked for a trade from Green Bay to Las Vegas this summer to reunite with Carr. Adams has more power than any other player in the team, thanks to his $141 million contract for five years.

The second part of Josh Jacobs’ amazing season

Fourth-year running back and former first-round selection from Alabama will almost certainly be playing his last eight games in silver or black. He has so far saved the best for last.

Jacobs has 821 yards of ground and is currently on pace to be second in franchise history in single-season rushing yards. He trails only Marcus Allen, who ran for 1,759. Jacobs could move up to fourth among career rushing record holders.

He has arguably been the team’s most valuable player–though Adams and Crosby are also in the conversation–another knock on McDaniels and new general manager Dave Ziegler. Jacobs’ $8 million fifth-year rookie option was not exercised by the pair, so he will remain a free agent in this offseason.

Jacobs has already played his way to a bigger payday. High-priced contracts have already been given out to Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow for offensive weapons. It’s unlikely that the Raiders will sign Jacobs.

Amik, the Freak

Amik Robertson is the cornerback who was the Raiders’ only contributor from their disastrous 2020 draft class.

Robertson, a 5-foot-8 undersized cornerback, looked unlikely to make the roster at training camp. However, he impressed new coaches with his intensity and playmaking abilities. He is now Las Vegas’ third most reliable cornerback, after Rock Ya-Sin (currently injured) and Nate Hobbs.

Robertson’s physical limitations are still a problem, but he has made good on them by regaining the ability to make takeaways that made Louisiana Tech such an attractive prospect. In Week 4, against the Broncos, he had a 68 yard fumble recovery that resulted in a touchdown. He also weaved in and around traffic. In Week 10, he punched the ball out of receiver Keke Coutee, resulting in a Raiders fumble recover.

Las Vegas was flat before the turnover and was in dire need of some energy. Robertson is unlikely to be a great outside cornerback in the NFL but he has been a fan-favorite rotational athlete.

Rookie Revelations

Long-term optimism is based on Ziegler’s handling of his draft with Raiders, despite not having a pick in the Adams trade.

Dylan Parham, a third-round selection, has been undoubtedly the best offensive lineman on the team at right guard. He could eventually take over the central position. Thayer Munford, a seventh-round selection, has shown great improvement at right tackle and could be a long-time starter.

Fourth-round defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. also showed potential as an interior defensive player. Ziegler also found several undrafted free agents who contributed to the team, including Luke Masterson, linebacker, who made his debut against the Colts, as well as Sam Webb cornerback, who played 97% in defensive snaps against them.

The Raiders have had a lot of problems, but they don’t lack young talent.

Las Vegas Weekly published this story.