Super Bowl LX Was a Familiar Sight for Raiders Fans - and Not in a Good Way
Once again, the Las Vegas Raiders were spectators for the Super Bowl, a tradition that’s stretched on for over two decades now. But even from the couch, Raider Nation couldn’t help but notice how connected they still were to the big game - just not in the way anyone would prefer.
The sidelines of Super Bowl LX were loaded with familiar faces. On one side, Klint Kubiak - now the Raiders’ head coach - was helping guide the Seattle Seahawks’ offense.
On the other, Josh McDaniels, the former Raiders head coach, was back in his comfort zone as New England’s offensive coordinator. What played out on the field, though, was a stark reminder of why McDaniels’ time in Las Vegas came to such a disappointing end.
McDaniels' Patriots Offense: High Ceiling, Low Floor
Let’s be clear: McDaniels deserves credit for what he built in New England this season. He helped second-year quarterback Drake Maye develop into an MVP runner-up, and the Patriots' offense was humming throughout the regular season. They averaged 28.8 points per game - second-best in the league - and looked like a machine heading into the playoffs.
But in Super Bowl LX, that machine broke down. Completely.
The Patriots’ offense stalled from the jump. Protection issues, a non-existent run game, and a lack of quick answers from the sideline left Maye under siege against a swarming Seattle defense. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter - when the Seahawks had shifted to a softer, prevent-style coverage - that New England finally moved the ball and got on the scoreboard.
Sound familiar?
Raiders Fans Have Seen This Movie Before
This was the version of McDaniels that Raiders fans know all too well. In his first season in Las Vegas, the offense looked solid on paper - ranking 12th in both yards and points - but the results rarely matched the numbers.
Drives stalled at the worst times. The team struggled to move the chains in crunch time.
And when they needed points, they often came up empty.
By Year 2, the wheels had come off. The Raiders’ offense dropped to just 15.8 points and 268.3 yards per game, cracking the 20-point mark only once.
The unit looked directionless, and the locker room reportedly followed suit. McDaniels was out before the season ended.
Sunday’s Super Bowl performance brought all of that flooding back. Against a fast, physical Seahawks defense, McDaniels didn’t have answers.
The Patriots couldn’t run. They couldn’t protect.
And Maye - who had looked so composed all year - was rattled and hesitant. The offensive line, particularly on the left side with Will Campbell, was overwhelmed.
McDaniels couldn’t adjust.
Kubiak’s Calm and Control Stood Out
Meanwhile, on the other sideline, Klint Kubiak was doing what Raiders fans hope he’ll bring to Las Vegas: adapting, scheming, and finding ways to move the ball against a tough defense. Seattle’s offense wasn’t flawless, but it was effective. They put up 22 points against a strong Patriots unit and looked composed doing it.
Kubiak’s ability to find rhythm in tough situations - and to keep his offense on schedule - stood in stark contrast to what was happening across the field. And for a Raiders organization trying to turn the page, that contrast couldn’t be more encouraging.
The Legacy vs. The Right Now
Josh McDaniels is still one of the most decorated offensive coordinators in NFL history. He’s been a part of six Super Bowl-winning teams, and his resume in New England is etched in gold. But without Tom Brady under center - and with the spotlight brightest - the version of McDaniels we saw on Sunday was the same one that couldn’t figure it out in Las Vegas.
For Raiders fans, Super Bowl LX wasn’t just another reminder of how long it’s been since they’ve played on that stage. It was also a glimpse into why the organization made the changes it did - and why there’s real hope that the future under Klint Kubiak might finally be different.