Bold Predictions for the 2025 Las Vegas Raiders

Football is so close that we can almost taste it. The tailgates, fly overs, and rowdy crowds are upon us. Week 1 will be here before we know it. For the Las Vegas Raiders, there’s a lot to love and be excited about. So as kickoff is right around the corner, let’s get into bold predictions.

Raiders Predictions for the 2025 Season

Raiders Predictions: They Will Have a Top 15 Offense in the League

This is my favorite of the Raiders predictions for this season because I believe in it. They may not have Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or even Joe Burrow. But this Raiders offense is actually very well put together. People truly forget that the Raiders had not one, but TWO 1,000 yard receivers and that’s with the quarterback situation they had. Now, they have Geno Smith, who had a great resurgence under new head coach Pete Carroll. His best season was in 2022, where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdown. He has the weapons in Vegas to be able to have that type of season potentially.

The Raiders have two great receiving threats in Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Meyers is coming off his first ever 1,000 yard season and is a great outside threat for this team. Also, the Raiders have Bowers, who is coming off one of the best seasons ever by a tight end and a great rookie season. He is a staple in this offense and will be for years to come. It’s the pieces around those two guys that make this special. Don’t sleep on this offense.

Donte Thornton has built a nice rapport with Smith in Training Camp. With his speed and athleticism he will be a true game changer for this offense. It’s something they’ve lacked in recent years.

Michael Mayer is turning heads and he will be a major x-factor to this offense and enjoy a nice bounce back season. New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has the weapons to work with and Geno Smith fits nicely in his offensive scheme.

This offense will also take strides because of the run game and that is where Ashton Jeanty comes in. In fact, he will win offensive rookie of the year.

Ashton Jeanty Wins Offensive Rookie of the Year

The Raiders struck absolute gold when they drafted Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick. Not only did they fit a need, but they got the best player available with that need. The bar is so low for the Raiders, who struggled immensely in the run game after seeing Josh Jacobs depart town. They were 32nd in average rush yards and rush yards in total. Also, they were 30th in attempts. Just anything with running the ball was a struggle and the run blocking was not any better. Jeanty changes things and in doing so he will win offensive rookie of the year.

The offense will run through him. No pun intended. They now have a running back that can find the holes and get through them. His blend of speed and power will make him an instant hit and there’s no reason to believe he won’t win the award.

He has been seen in passing downs, so he is more than just the big cow bell back. Jeanty will get more opportunities and to be a focal point in this offense. He will be such a dynamic weapon and a strong year should see him win offensive rookie of the year.

They Do Not Finish Last in the AFC West

You know what? This one’s the boldest of the Raiders predictions. And I’m not even trying to be biased but I do believe this Raiders team will compete and not finish in the basement of the AFC West.

Genuinely I do believe in the vision that John Spytek put together. I also think this team finally has the right coaching. Pete Carroll is certainly better than Josh McDaniels and a rookie head coach in Antonio Pierce. Patrick Graham is returning, which has seen the Raiders have a top 15 defense each of the last two seasons. Chip Kelly should elevate this offense that was very bland the year prior. This team has the ingredients to not just bet better but not be in the basement.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will always find a way. No matter what the weapons look like, that team gets it done and they are the top of the class for a reason. Harbaugh has built a Harbaugh esque team with the Chargers and seeing them finish second feels right in my opinion. That leaves Denver and nothing against Denver, but I think this Raiders team can be better than the Broncos. Sophomore slumps exist, even though Bo Nix is a really nice talent. A strong improving year leads to Carroll being nominated for Coach of the year.

Pete Carroll Nominated for Coach of the Year

This one feels right. The final of the Raiders predictions on this list. If the Raiders completely turn things around and even somehow manage to sneak into the playoffs, Pete Carroll should be nominated for Coach of the year. The Raiders have been the laughing stock for quite some time and a good season for the Raiders, where they show improvement there’s no reason for him not to receive that type of love.

Week One can’t get here soon enough.