Will Raiders Rely on Offense or Defense in 2023?

The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for the 2023 season, hoping to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing 2022 season.

After a busy offseason that saw the team bring in multiple new faces who are expected to play a significant amount of snaps, the Raiders have reshaped their roster to better fit what Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler want from the team.

Heading into year two of the McDaniels-Ziegler regime, they are more comfortable with the personnel around them and expect to win more games than they did last season after inheriting a team that was largely not theirs.

In a tough AFC, that turnaround will need to be stark. The Raiders will get production from their top players on both sides of the ball, but which side will they lean on more to win them games: offense or defense?

The offense seems like an easy favorite in this, with a quarterback more fit for McDaniels’ system in Jimmy Garoppolo, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Davante Adams, a threat in the passing game at tight end in Michael Mayer, and an improved offensive line.

The run game might be without Josh Jacobs, but if he is to miss any time, McDaniels has been familiar with a running back-by-committee approach before. If Jacobs were to return, he factors into one of the league’s most explosive offenses.

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s unit also is going to look much different. The Raiders’ defense will go as far as defensive end Maxx Crosby takes them, but he will need some help.

A bounce back season from defensive end Chandler Jones could go a long way for the entire defense, as more disruption up front allows the other levels of the defense to do their jobs a little easier.

The secondary has added veterans to a young group, including cornerback Marcus Peters and safety Marcus Epps, who players have been raving about in training camp. The Raiders’ secondary should be improved in 2023.

Both units will be equally important for the Raiders if they want to win games in 2023. They each have their top-end star talent, and need consistent production from their ancillary pieces to have a successful season.

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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