Football is a package deal.
Rarely will a team win (sustainably, at least) if one side of the ball is constantly delivering and the other struggles. The winning teams gets big plays from both the offense and the defense on a weekly basis.
That was a problem for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and if the program is going to improve in 2025 in the first season under Pete Carroll, improved play on both sides of the ball must happen.
NFL analyst Warren Sharp recently looked at explosive play differential
for all 32 NFL teams in the 2024 season. It was based off of plays of 15 plus yards gained on offense and allowed on defense. The Raiders finished with the fifth worst differential and minus-26.
explosive play differential
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 16, 2025
(plays of 15+ yards gained less plays of 15+ yards allowed)
+37 - PHI
+36
+35
+34 - SF
+33 - TB
+32
+31
+30
+29
+28 - SEA
+27 - BAL
+26
+25
+24
+23
+22
+21
+20
+19
+18 - DET
+17
+16 - HOU, ATL
+15
+14 - LAC
+13
+12
+11 - NYJ
+10 - GB
+9
+8
+7
+6 -…
Las Vegas didn’t have enough big plays on offense and give up too many of them on defense last season. Improved in needed.
In other Raiders’ news:
- Building respect: This is how a young Raider earned the respect of Maxx Crosby.
- Over/unders: PFF predicts win totals for all 32 NFL teams.
- Chip’s influence: The Raiders’ website looks at the impact new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will make.
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