LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (8-8)

Projected 2021 win total: 8

LAST YEAR: The Raiders got off to a promising start in their first season in

Las Vegas with a 6-3 record, including a win at Kansas City, before faltering down the stretch. The Raiders lost five of six during a late-season slide thanks to a porous defense that finished 30th in the league allowing 29.9 points per game and an offense that had the fourth-highest turnover rate in the NFL. QB Derek Carr set career bests in several categories but still is seeking his first appearance in a playoff game since entering the NFL in 2014.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Yannick Ngakoue, CB Casey Hayward, S Trevon Moehrig, RT Alex Leatherwood, WR John Brown, RB Kenyan Drake, DT Quinton Jefferson, DT Solomon Thomas, CB Rasul Douglas.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: WR Nelson Agholor, C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson, RT Trent Brown, DT Maliek Collins, S Jeff Heath, S Erik Harris, RB Devontae Booker.

NOTES: The Raiders need to rebuild a defense that has allowed the most points per game and second-most yards per play in three seasons since coach

Jon Gruden returned. Coordinator Paul Guenther was fired late last season and Gus Bradley came in during the offseason to implement a simpler system the Raiders hope will lead to better results. Ngakoue and Jefferson should help bolster a weak pass rush. EXPECTATIONS: The return of Gruden in 2018 has led to little success so far with the Raiders failing to post a winning record or earn a playoff berth in any of his three seasons. The excuses are running out as the team has had a bevy of high draft picks and free-agent additions to rebuild the roster, and anything short of a playoff berth would be hard to be viewed as any sort of success. But unless the defense takes a big step forward and the offense cuts down on turnovers, competing in a top-heavy AFC won’t be easy.