The Raiders were three defensive stops away from winning 11 games last year. And they seem to be a much improved defense coming into 2021.
Football
In trading for former Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones, the Titans created one of the most menacing offensive playmaker units in the NFL.
The Buccaneers are playing it back, almost literally, by bringing back every key player from last year’s Super Bowl championship roster.
It is hard to imagine the defense can be any worse than the 29.9 points per game the Raiders surrendered last year, or the third-fewest sacks and turnovers they amassed.
Improved efficiency is predicated on the rebuilt offensive line being more effective in the red zone, where the Raiders ranked 23rd in touchdown percentage.
As they close in on the halfway point of Jon Gruden’s 10-year contract, the Raiders’ hope is that steady growth is replaced by significant and immediate improvement.
In Matthew Stafford, the Rams believe have a quarterback who will not be susceptible to the inexplicable fall-offs from game to game that plagued Jared Goff
Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor and Joe Burrow, whose stars are on the rise, figure to be in the headlines this NFL season.
Urban Meyer in Jacksonville, Tom Brady in Tampa, the Raiders in Allegiant Stadium and DeShaun Watson in Houston figure to be in the headlines this season.