In a competitive AFC West, the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to be the game-changers in the upcoming season. Under the guidance of a new head coach, Josh McDaniels, who will go through the final acid test before the season opener on the third day of preseason against his former team, the New England Patriots.

Munich – Josh McDaniels could hardly have imagined a better start to his second term as head coach. The Las Vegas Raiders have won three of their first three preseason games (including the Hall of Fame Game).

On Friday night, McDaniels will face his final test of endurance before the start of the season. Against his former team, the New England Patriots.

McDaniels, with his years of experience as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator, is expected to give the Raiders’ offence a new look and direct the team towards the playoffs. The final preseason game should provide answers to some unanswered questions.

Las Vegas Raiders: Lots of star power

Because the Raiders are doing their city justice. The offense promises stars, glitz and glamour. Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, Davante Adams. Big names on a big stage. Serving them is quarterback Derek Carr, who may not bring the most glamorous flair, but is definitely one of the better players at his position.

In his final year with the Patriots, McDaniels relied on a variable short passing game with rookie quarterback Mac Jones, with occasional vertical elements. Screen and play-action passes were a regular part of the game plan, allowing Jones to make a number of easy and efficient completions.

His new protege, Derek Carr, should benefit. The offense could take the next step, take off. But as glitzy and glamorous as the Raiders’ figureheads are, the facade, the basic framework, is crumbling.

Raiders: Construction sites in the offensive line

McDaniels is currently desperately trying to plug several holes on the offensive line. In three preseason games, the O-line has allowed 13 sacks. Left tackle Kolton Miller is a set piece and has become a good pass protector over the last few years.

The interior offensive line, consisting of the two guards and centre, could be made up of third-round pick Dylan Parham, Andre James and Lester Cotton. Three very young offensive linemen, only James has had any NFL experience worth mentioning. The former undrafted free agent followed in Rodney Hudson’s footsteps last season and played solid.

The right side is likely to be manned by either veteran Jermaine Eluemunor or last year’s first-round pick Alex Leatherwood following injuries to Brandon Parker and Thayer Munford. Leatherwood accounted for 65 pressures and eight sacks last season. The 23-year-old also doesn’t seem to be able to really recommend himself for the starter’s position.

In the preseason games so far, he has often been on the field with the other backups and rotation players in the later quarters. It’s the first indication that Leatherwood is not in pole position in McDaniels’ starter planning.

Eluemunor, mainly a backup for several years in the NFL, at least enjoys Carr’s confidence: “It looks very good what he’s doing. I’m excited to see him develop. “

Carr weak under pressure

This confidence is essential. That’s because Carr plays confidently and efficiently within the structure of a play, but wobbles when he has to improvise or gets pressure from the defensive line.

Under pressure, Carr completed just under half of his passes (53 percent), threw five touchdowns and nine interceptions. McDaniels must look for solutions to the problem spots on the offensive line, even in the final preseason game. Otherwise, the offense could face enormous problems. Despite the many standouts. Because all that glitters is not gold.