Every football fan knows the value of complimentary football—when all three phases of the game work together to create a winning formula. For the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, that synergy was sorely missing.
While the team struggled in many areas last season, one of the most glaring issues was the lack of help from the defense and special teams. The Raiders ranked near the bottom of the league in starting drives in opposing territory, according to a recent analysis by NFL analyst Warren Sharp. That statistic tells a painful story: an offense that already faced plenty of challenges got almost no relief from its counterparts.
Here's how the league stacked up for drives starting in opposing territory in 2025:
30 – Jacksonville
29 through 23 – Detroit, Miami
22 – San Francisco, Houston
21 – Minnesota
20 – Cleveland, Baltimore, LA Rams, Chicago, New Orleans
19 – Seattle, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, LA Chargers
18 – Buffalo, Kansas City, Tennessee, Philadelphia
17 through 15 – Denver, Arizona, New England
14 – Cincinnati
13 – Green Bay, Las Vegas, NY Giants, Carolina
12 – NY Jets
11 – Washington
9 – Dallas
As you can see, the Raiders sat near the very bottom, tied with just a handful of teams. That's not the company you want to keep when you're trying to build a playoff contender.
So what's the fix? It starts with defensive coordinator Rob Leonard and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. In 2026, their units need to step up and create more scoring opportunities for the offense. Whether it's a timely turnover, a blocked punt, or a long return, the Raiders need to find ways to give their offense a shorter field. Better field position doesn't just mean easier points—it takes pressure off the quarterback and opens up the playbook.
On a brighter note, The Athletic recently broke down the Raiders' offseason winners and losers, offering a glimpse into the team's potential. And the Raiders' official website has been diving into the film of rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, suggesting the team is already looking ahead to 2026 with fresh talent.
For Raiders fans, the message is clear: if the defense and special teams can elevate their game, the offense might finally get the help it desperately needs.