The Las Vegas Raiders are struggling. Lacking offensive cornerstones and a franchise quarterback, the team is searching for a foundation upon which to build a winning culture. Recent examples, like the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders, demonstrate how drafting a star quarterback and hiring a new head coach can revitalize a franchise. The Raiders, mired in a five-game losing streak, recognize the need for change. Running back Alexander Mattison recently pointed to a specific AFC team as a model for the Raiders to emulate.
Alexander Mattison running with the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
Mattison Praises the Ravens’ Winning Formula
The Baltimore Ravens boast a 7-3 record, fueled by the dynamic duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry and their dominant rushing attack. Fresh off a Thursday Night Football victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens exemplify the success the Raiders aspire to achieve. Mattison, appearing on the “Up & Adams” show, explicitly stated that the Raiders should strive to replicate the Ravens’ model. He praised the Ravens as a “good football team,” emphasizing that they represent the ideal to which the Raiders should aspire.
“That is a good team, that is a good football team,” Mattison said of the Ravens. “My hats off to them. I try not to be a fan or too supportive of other teams. When you look at them that’s a team you want to model your team after.”
The Ravens’ consistent competitiveness since drafting Lamar Jackson, their franchise quarterback and former MVP, underscores the importance of building a team around a strong leader. The Ravens’ sustained success in building a Super Bowl-contending roster highlights the effectiveness of their organizational strategy.
Growing Concerns Surround the Raiders’ Future
Entering their Week 10 bye with a dismal 2-7 record, the Raiders are facing another potentially lost season. The team’s struggles extend beyond the field, with concerns about the team’s culture contributing to the negativity. While the arrival of interim head coach Antonio Pierce in 2023 initially seemed to signal a positive shift, the optimism has dissipated during the 2024 season.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports growing pessimism within the organization. The mid-season firing of offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, unusual for a first-year head coach, reflects the internal doubts surrounding the team’s trajectory. Breer suggests that this move indicates a deeper concern about the Raiders’ current direction.
“The Las Vegas Raiders’ firing of offensive coordinator Luke Getsy after the team’s fifth straight loss was a surprise in its timing. Generally, a new head coach like Antonio Pierce won’t do that halfway through his first season,” Breer wrote this week. “But it does reflect some pessimism in that building on the direction of the team right now.”
While securing a high draft pick and landing a franchise quarterback could offer a glimmer of hope, the Chicago Bears’ situation with Caleb Williams demonstrates the potential need for a complete organizational overhaul, similar to the approaches taken by the Texans and Commanders. A successful rebuild requires more than just drafting a talented quarterback; it necessitates a cultural reset and a commitment to building a sustainable winning environment. The Raiders, inspired by the Ravens’ success, may need to embrace a similar approach to reverse their fortunes.
