The Las Vegas Raiders faced both of this season’s Super Bowl contestants at various points. They faced the 49ers in joint practices leading up to their preseason game. Then, as AFC West foes, they faced the Chiefs twice this season. In both cases, the Raiders played well. During the offseason, the 49ers and Raiders faced off in the preseason.

While the Raiders won the game handily, by a score of 34-7, neither team played many of their starters in the game. Maybe more impressive is what the Raiders starters did against the 49ers’ starters in joint practices leading up to the preseason game itself. During joint practices against the 49ers, the Raiders’ defense first showed signs of improvement after adding pieces to the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders’ defensive backs were flying all over the field the entire week of practice, consistently disrupting the 49ers’ offensive game plan.

Usually, joint practices are just that, joint practices. However, considering what happened in those joint practices and how the season turned out for both the 49ers’ and the Raiders’ defense, what the Raiders’ defense showed in those practices was a glimpse of what was to come.

Las Vegas’ defense registered multiple interceptions and even more tipped passes en route to taking the first steps toward a successful season for the unit. The Raiders would then go on to play the Chiefs twice. After jumping out to a double-digit lead in their home game against the Chiefs this season, Las Vegas would lose the game after only being able to string together a good quarter or two of solid play. Even though they lost the game, rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell finished it with the highest QBR of all quarterbacks in the NFL that week. Fast forward to Christmas Day, when the Raiders finally put together four quarters of good play against the Chiefs. The Raiders went on the road and beat the Chiefs for the first time in years and did so in a dominating defensive fashion. The Raiders beat the Chiefs and did so without completing a pass after the first quarter of the game.

The Raiders return most of the defense that went toe to toe with the NFC Champions in joint practices and beat the Super Bowl champions on the road late in the season. With the changes made to their front office and coaching staff and the addition of free agents and draft picks, the Raiders hope they can close the gap between themselves and the Chiefs next season. However, one thing is clear: the gap isn’t as big as it may seem. From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.