HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders open the 2021 NFL regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders went 8-8 last season, finishing the year with five losses in the final seven games to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
After an offseason of rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines, the Raiders got younger and more versatile in the trenches, while remaining explosive at the offensive skill positions. The defense was also overhauled and while the Raiders were three defensive stops away from an 11-5 season and a playoff berth, they were also three plays away from a 5-11 finish. These things even out.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman
Peterman taking all but one snap in the first two preseason games served one of two purposes -- either it was a showcase for him as a potential trade chip, or the Raiders were keeping Mariota, who was purportedly dealing with a quad issue, under wraps as a potential trade chip. In any event, Carr should take another statistical step forward in his fourth season with Jon Gruden.
