For some reason, the Las Vegas Raiders have always struggled against replacements. Whether it’s interim coaches, backup quarterbacks, or replacement players, it doesn’t matter. It’s a reputation that has been well earned and repeatedly reinforced. The Raiders have struggled whenever they’ve had to face an opponent that seems to be making changes to their organization by moving around personnel. It feels like they’ve fallen victim to trap games more often than not.
Andy Dalton is Next In Line
This week, the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Carolina Panthers. It’s the home opener, and they’re coming off of a great comeback victory in Baltimore. They had expected to be facing young quarterback Bryce Young but will instead do battle with veteran backup Andy Dalton.
This isn’t the first time the Raiders will tangle with Dalton. In his career, Dalton is 4-0 against the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. The last time Dalton crossed paths with the Raiders, he destroyed them in 2022 as a backup quarterback, starting in place of an injured Jameis Winston for the New Orleans Saints.
Backup Quarterbacks Have Great Success
It seems like when the Las Vegas Raiders have to play against a backup quarterback, they struggle. Baker Mayfield and Dalton crushed the hearts of Raider Nation in 2022. Last season, the Raiders lost a 3-0 heartbreaker to the Vikings, who started backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs before turning to third-string quarterback Nick Mullins.
It’s a different team from those years. At the same time, “Raider Nation” is right to panic a little, especially since Dalton is 4-0 against the Las Vegas Raiders. They need to keep their guard up, as the phrase “Any Given Sunday” is certainly applicable here.
Coaches Do Well Against Las Vegas Raiders
While Sunday will be a battle of first-year coaches between Dave Canales and Antonio Pierce, interim head coaches have also haunted the Raiders. It seems that when a team is backed against the wall, the Raiders let off the gas. The most notable example has to be the infamous 2022 game against Jeff Saturday’s Indianapolis Colts.
While it’s not a situation they will have to be worried about on Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders need to be careful. While the Panthers haven’t shown much this season, they are going to be fired up. Las Vegas can’t afford to overlook them this week.
Struggle Against Replacements Goes Back Decades
It can be argued when it started, but certainly, you can circle the year 1987. At the time, the Los Angeles Raiders were still a powerhouse in the AFC. They had barely missed the playoffs in 1986 due to a late-season collapse but started 1987 2-0 before the strike happened.
The replacement players went 1-3, while other teams like the rival Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins had great success despite the strike. The Raiders won five games that season and only made the playoffs three times between 1988 and 1999. Players for the team at the time said that the strike killed their momentum, and the replacement players divided teams across the league.
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