Following an abysmal performance in Week 1, the Arizona Cardinals are in need of a major bounce-back game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It won’t be easy, as the Raiders made the postseason in 2021 and have only improved their roster. The Cardinals, to this point, are showing signs of possible major regression from the electric 10-2 team from last season.
The Raiders \ went out in free agency and aggressively went after stars to help get them over the top. The most notable, of course, is All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, whom the Cardinals will have to find answers for on Sunday.
They also added Arizona’s all-time leader in sacks in Chandler Jones, inking him to a three-year contract worth more than $17 million per season.
Those were the two primary moves for the Raiders in the offseason, aside from extending their own. Derek Carr and Darren Waller both received high-dollar deals that tie them to the team for the foreseeable future.
They did trade pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue to the Colts in exchange for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, but otherwise, the roster is similar to last season.
The Raiders did trade former second-round cornerback Trayvon Mullen to the Cardinals two weeks ago, who could play against his former team. Mullen told the media he expected to play last week but ultimately did not. Perhaps he sees some action this week.
Las Vegas is dealing with concerns in the cornerback room, similar to the Cardinals. Cornerback Anthony Averett, one of their other free agents of note, was placed on injured reserve Monday.
The Cardinals will have their opportunities to score points if they can contain the pass rush duo of Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but can their defense hold up against a talented Vegas receiving corps?
Here’s a list of the Raiders’ offseason moves:
Las Vegas Raiders’ key offseason additions
- WR Davante Adams
- OLB Chandler Jones
- CB Anthony Averett
- RB Brandon Bolden
- S Duron Harmon
- OLB Kyler Fackrell
- ILB Jayon Brown
Las Vegas Raiders’ key offseason losses
- CB Casey Hayward
- G Richie Incognito
- WR DeSean Jackson
- WR Zay Jones
- QB Marcus Mariota
- ILB Cory Littleton
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