What Is 2019 Oakland Raiders football team

Overview

The 2019 season marked the final year the Raiders played in Oakland before their relocation to Las Vegas. Under head coach Jon Gruden, the team showed flashes of improvement but ultimately fell short of a playoff berth.

With a 7-9 record, the Raiders finished third in the AFC West, ahead of only the Denver Broncos. Despite offensive upgrades and a strong rookie campaign from running back Josh Jacobs, defensive inconsistencies plagued the team throughout the season.

• 7-9 record: The Raiders finished the 2019 season with seven wins and nine losses, failing to reach the postseason for the fifth consecutive year.
• Final Oakland season: This was the last year the team played home games at the Oakland Coliseum before moving to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2020.
• Derek Carr's performance: Quarterback Derek Carr started all 16 games, throwing for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions.
• Josh Jacobs' rookie impact: First-round pick Josh Jacobs rushed for 1,150 yards and four touchdowns, earning NFL All-Rookie Team honors.
• Defensive struggles: The Raiders ranked 30th in total defense, allowing an average of 380.1 yards per game, a major factor in their missed playoff chances.

Key Players and Roles

The 2019 Raiders relied on a mix of young talent and experienced veterans to build a foundation for the Las Vegas era. Several players emerged as key contributors on both sides of the ball.

• Josh Jacobs: Selected 24th overall, Jacobs became the team's lead back, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and scoring four total touchdowns.
• Derek Carr: In his sixth season, Carr improved his completion percentage to 70.6%, the highest of his career, showing growth under Gruden's system.
• Maxx Crosby: The rookie defensive end recorded 10 sacks and 41 combined tackles, quickly establishing himself as a defensive cornerstone.
• Antonio Brown: Signed in the offseason, Brown never played due to injuries and off-field issues, creating major distractions early in the year.
• Johnathan Abram: The first-round safety started 13 games and recorded 78 tackles, though he struggled with consistency in coverage.
• Renfrow and Edwards: Rookie receivers Hunter Renfrow and Jalen Richard Edwards contributed, with Renfrow catching 49 passes for 605 yards.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 Raiders compared closely with division rivals and other AFC teams in performance and statistics. The table below highlights key metrics.

The Raiders scored fewer points than both the Chiefs and Broncos but allowed more than all division rivals except the Chargers. Their point differential of -65 reflected inconsistent play, especially in close games, where they went 2-7.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a transitional year that set the stage for the franchise's new era in Las Vegas. While the record wasn’t playoff-worthy, player development and draft progress signaled future potential.

• The season marked the end of a 25-year chapter in Oakland, closing a significant chapter in NFL history and fan culture.
• Josh Jacobs’ success validated the team’s draft strategy and provided a reliable offensive foundation for years to come.
• Maxx Crosby’s emergence gave the defense a long-term pass-rushing threat, critical for future improvement.
• The failed Antonio Brown experiment highlighted the risks of high-profile signings and influenced future personnel decisions.
• Missing the playoffs extended the team’s postseason drought to five years, increasing pressure on management to deliver results in Las Vegas.
• The 2019 draft class, including Jacobs and Crosby, became core contributors, proving vital in the team’s rebuild.

Ultimately, the 2019 Oakland Raiders served as a bridge between eras. While the record was underwhelming, the season laid groundwork for the franchise’s future in a new city and stadium.