The Las Vegas Raiders are sitting at 2-12 heading into Week 16, and after Sunday’s performance, it’s hard to argue they don’t belong at the bottom of the NFL power rankings. It’s been a season of frustration, false starts, and fading optimism-and Week 15 only added to the pile.
Yes, the Raiders technically share the league’s worst record with the Giants and Titans. But the situation in Vegas feels far more dire. While those other teams are struggling, the Raiders seem stuck in neutral-if not sliding backward.
There was a flicker of hope heading into Sunday. Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who had shown some promise in a limited appearance the week before, was set to get the start in place of Geno Smith.
In that brief Week 14 cameo, Pickett looked sharp-completing 8-of-11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. It was enough to get fans wondering if maybe, just maybe, this offense could find a spark.
That spark never came.
Instead, Pickett’s full-game audition in Week 15 was a harsh reality check. He completed just 15 passes for 64 yards and threw an interception.
Not only was it a step back-it erased whatever momentum he might’ve had. The numbers speak for themselves: Pickett was more productive in one quarter the week prior than he was across four quarters on Sunday.
The quarterback carousel in Las Vegas has been spinning all season, but it’s clear now that it’s not just about who’s under center. The offensive line has been a glaring issue all year, and it continues to be one of the worst units in the league. No matter who’s at quarterback-or even in the backfield-it’s hard to evaluate talent when the protection breaks down before plays can even develop.
That’s been especially true for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. He’s shown flashes of what he can do, but without consistent blocking, those flashes are few and far between. It’s a tough environment for any young player to thrive in, let alone one trying to carry the load in a broken offense.
Looking ahead, the Raiders are almost certainly going to be in the quarterback market come draft time. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is already generating buzz as a potential target, and it’s easy to see why.
But drafting a quarterback is only half the battle. If Las Vegas doesn’t commit to rebuilding the offensive line in tandem, they risk repeating the same cycle-new quarterback, same problems.
This team needs more than just a fresh face at QB. It needs infrastructure.
It needs protection. And it needs a plan.
For now, though, the focus is on finishing out a brutal season. The Raiders have lost eight straight, and with just three games left, they’re in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick.
That might be the only silver lining in an otherwise forgettable campaign. But even that’s not a lock-both the Giants and Titans are lurking, ready to swoop in if Vegas slips up.
The Raiders are at a crossroads. The rest of 2025 might be a wash, but 2026?
That could be the year things finally turn-if they make the right moves. Until then, it’s more of the same: a team with a proud history, stuck in a painful present, searching for a way forward.