The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into the final quarter of the 2025 NFL season (the 17-game schedule messes with the math) at 2-11. Let’s take a quick review of the last quarter and what it means for the final four games of the season.
Quick summary of the third quarter:
More of the same. The Raiders went 0-4 in the past four games and extended their losing streak to seven straight games. They were beaten by an average of 28-14 in the past quarter and never truly competed in every games. Coach Pete
Carroll also fired Chip Kelly, the highly paid offensive coordinator in the league, after 11 games. So, the misery has continued.
Offensive MVP:
Brock Bowers. The tight end one of the Raiders’ few productive players. His targets are down and he has been targeted nine times in two games under interim offensive coordinator Greg Olson. But, Bowers still produces and the Raiders are look to have him.
Defensive MVP:
Maxx Crosby. Like Bowers, Crosby is one of the Raiders’ few productive players. He played every defensive snap in four of the past five games and he has a team record 25 tackles for loss. Maxx always comes through, even though the rest can’t be some for so many other figures in this franchise
Rookie of the first half:
Let go with Darien Porter. It’s up an up-and-down season for the Raider’s rookie class with some being inconsistent. Porter started the past three games and he will likely finish the season as a starting cornerback. He was rotating with Kyu Blu Kelly, but he ruptured his patella tendon on Sunday and is out for the season. Porter played most of the game and did well. He has a chance to solidify a major 2026 role with his play down the stretch.
What to look for in next quarter:
The Raiders play at the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans the next two games before finishing the season at home against the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles and Texans have winning records (although the Eagles have lost three straight games) and the Giants and Chiefs have losing records. The Raiders and Giants are in position to battle out for the No. 1 overall pick. So, Week 17 could be which for the Raiders as they look to be in position to select a potential franchise quarterback. The Raiders have looked incapable of winning, but those last two games are winnable, especially if the Chiefs have nothing to play for, which appears likely.
