The 2024 NFL season is just around the corner. There’s just one more preseason game to go before the rosters are cut down and teams prepare for the regular season opener.
At this time of the year, most teams feel like they have a shot to compete. The Las Vegas Raiders are an interesting team that has a talented roster, but a questionable quarterback situation.
Gardner Minshew was named the starting QB over Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders hope the veteran journeyman can help the team improve on an 8-9 record from 2023.
Will Brinson of CBS Sports recently predicted every NFL team’s 2024 record. Unfortunately for Raiders fans, Brinson foresees a tough season for Las Vegas, calling the Raiders a “tough team to figure out.”
The analyst predicted the Raiders to take a step back from 2023 and finish with a 6-11 record. Regarding that projection, Brinson said the following:
Tough team to figure out in Las Vegas. I think I may be selling the Raiders short because of their overall roster, but I also have major questions about the quarterback and the issues they're going to face in the division. Is Gardner Minshew really the answer in free agency? I love the Brock Bowers pick, but it also feels a bit redundant with Michael Mayer in the fold, even though there was a new regime in town. Antonio Pierce did an awesome job with this team down the stretch last year, but interim coaches don't often pan out in full-time roles. If the Raiders defense is as opportunistic as it was last year and the run game can be dominant, this team can easily outpace my projection and the Vegas win total. The schedule just has some really tough stretches as a result of playing in the AFC West.
Brinson’s prediction would give the Raiders the worst record in the AFC West based on his other projections for teams in the division, which would certainly be a disappointing result for Antonio Pierce’s first full season at the helm.
Rolling with Minshew as the starter seemingly gives the team a decent floor, but can the veteran produce enough to power this team to the playoffs? Time will tell.
The Raiders will kick off the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 8.
