2023 NFL Power Rankings: Las Vegas Raiders

Young riser: WR Tre Tucker

The rookie third-round draft pick has not only eaten away at former Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow's snaps from the slot, his speed has also made him a downfield target via the deep ball. His 48-yard pickup against the Patriots in Week 6 is the Raiders' longest offensive play of the season. And a deep shot from Brian Hoyer at Chicago resulted in a 46-yard pickup thanks to a pass interference penalty. -- Paul Gutierrez

All signs seemed to point toward Aidan O'Connell getting the start in Chicago, but Josh McDaniels opted instead for Brian Hoyer, who ultimately managed just 129 yards passing while throwing two picks in the 30-12 loss. Once Jimmy Garoppolo is back, if McDaniels wants to make Hoyer the game-day backup, so be it. He's 38 years old and better prepared to come off the bench at the drop of a helmet. But not starting O'Connell (or at least going to him at halftime) felt like a mistake, even though the rookie experienced some struggles in his first NFL start back in Week 4 against the Chargers. Hoyer has started four games since 2019 and didn't come out of any of them looking good. He's also lost 13 straight starts. Does McDaniels want to see what O'Connell can do? Or is he quietly concerned about his job status? We're not sure, but let's hope he considers a new approach the next time he's presented with this choice.

They looked lifeless for most of the game in losing to the Bears. Now they face another tough trip this week to play the Lions on the road.

Why give another start to promising rookie QB Aidan O'Connell when you could let Brian Hoyer run his personal losing streak to 13 games?

One question: Why is Josh McDaniels still the coach?

Maybe "Why was he ever?" is the real question. McDaniels was 11-17 in two years as Denver's coach. He's now 9-15 in Las Vegas after losing Sunday to a Bears team led by backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, a rookie out of Division II. McDaniels' offense is fine. The Raiders are eighth in the league in points per drive (2.17), but the defense is 22nd in points per drive allowed (2.22), according to TruMedia. It might be that McDaniels is better suited to be an offensive coordinator.

It was never likely to be an offensive explosion with Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined by injury. But for the Raiders' defense, which had been pretty decent to this point, to completely collapse?

And for that collapse to come against the undrafted Bagent? Brutal.

It's still astonishing that head coach Josh McDaniels started QB Brian Hoyer, who is 38 and has lost 13 straight starts. There was no good reason for that decision, and it shows how McDaniels is struggling for answers. It doesn't help that, somehow, Josh Jacobs has gone from a 2022 All-Pro to one of the worst running backs in the NFL in 2023. His 2.9 yards per carry is tied for the worst in the NFL with Houston's Dameon Pierce.

The fans are fully fed up with Josh McDaniels.

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