In a year where homefield advantage seemed nonexistent, the Las Vegas Raiders boasted a 2-6 record. Inside Allegiant Stadium in their first season away from Oakland, the team struggled. A tough schedule will serve as a major reason for a team’s struggles in any stadium. Yet, lined up differently in Las Vegas.
Ugly Losses
While the Raiders lost to Kansas City, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay in Sin City. Plus, they also fell to Chargers and the Dolphins on their home turf. It may feel weird playing in a brand new stadium. However, defending your home turf still matters.
Upside
On a positive note, an abysmal home record for an 8-8 team means a promising road record. The Raiders finished 6-2 on the road.
Official Housewarming
Perhaps an official welcoming party will diminish the Raiders hometown woes in the near future, but it remains perplexing how much Las Vegas struggled at home.
Missing Ingredient
When Allegiant Stadium opens to the public (and Mark Davis), expect the stadium to be filled, making the artificial fan sounds come off as whispers. Real fans will also be able to raise the volume level with the Silver and Black on defense, making opposing offenses communication take place at the highest degree of difficulty. During a fanless season, one might expect a team to provide their own energy in their home stadium, but instead, the Raiders opted to bring their energy and pride to other stadiums, taking great joy in beating host teams in front of their own stadium sounds.
House Didn’t Win
Las Vegas has been established as the Mecca of gambling, but Allegiant Stadium could be the one place in the city where the house does not have the advantage.
No Excuse
The pandemic ravaged the NFL, but that cannot be a viable excuse. A vast majority of “good teams” won at home, fans or not. Admittedly, the Raiders did not fall under the title of being a “good team” and their home record not only showed this but could have been a major, big-picture reason for the team’s mediocrity.
Wild Time
When the Raiders beat the Saints in Las Vegas in Week 2 to start the season 2-0, many thought the change of scenery would be the perfect adjustment the team needed. Instead, the Raiders appeared homesick, longing for the hybrid football/baseball stadium back in California.
Redemption
Hopefully, the Raiders can come around on Las Vegas. They need to push their rollercoaster memories from Oakland out of their mind.
