Vegas Disagrees With Raiders' Win-Now Philosophy

The Las Vegas Raiders are trying to win now in the fourth year of Jon Gruden’s 10-year contract, but oddsmakers don’t see it happening. 

The Raiders are projected to win only 6.5 games in 2021, although the over is favored at -200 odds at WynnBET. 

Still, seven wins certainly won’t be enough to make the postseason in a 17-game season, and Gruden is running out of time to turn Las Vegas around after taking over in 2018. 

The Raiders traded Khalil Mack, the team’s best player at the time, when Gruden first took over but it appears they have attempted to bring him back from the Chicago Bears. Las Vegas has one of the league’s worst defenses, and it is projected to struggle again, having the second-worst odds to allow the fewest points in the NFL this season.

If the Raiders were able to acquire Mack, it would certainly improve their dismal defense, but the cost would likely be a similar draft pick haul that the Bears gave up to acquire Mack from Las Vegas. 

Talk about regretting a decision. 

The Raiders probably wouldn't have cared as much if they hadn’t made such poor picks in the first round of the draft in recent years, but Clelin Ferrell, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Abram, Henry Ruggs, and Damon Arnette have not lived up to expectations so far. 

Las Vegas is in danger of missing the playoffs for a fifth-consecutive season, and it looks like Gruden and company are willing to pull out all the stops to change their perception around the NFL and in Vegas. 

Are the Raiders a playoff team? Make your pick now on WynnBET.