Raiders Defense One Game Away from Setting Unwanted Franchise Record

The Las Vegas Raiders have gone from one of the NFL's early surprises to a team facing serious questions about their defense.

And another disappointing performance Sunday could put them in the franchise record books for all the wrong reasons.

Las Vegas has allowed at least 27 points in five consecutive games, matching the longest such streak in franchise history.

According to AP reporter Josh Dubow, the Raiders previously endured five-game stretches allowing at least 27 points in 2004 and 2020.

Now, they're one game away from establishing a new franchise record.

The Raiders visit the New York Jets on Sunday, looking to end a four-game losing streak that has erased the momentum from their 3-0 start.

But their defensive struggles have made winning increasingly difficult.

Las Vegas has surrendered at least 30 points in four consecutive games, including Sunday's 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Dubow also noted that the Raiders have allowed an average of 35.8 points over their past five games, compared with 28.1 points per game for the season.

Those numbers illustrate how dramatically the defense has deteriorated.

The Rams exposed many of the same problems that have plagued Las Vegas throughout its losing streak.

Los Angeles scored touchdowns on four consecutive first-half possessions, building a 28-6 halftime advantage.

The Rams also rushed for 199 yards, with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combining for 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns against a Raiders defense that has struggled to stop opposing running backs.

According to the Raiders' official website, Las Vegas is allowing 143.6 rushing yards per game and five yards per carry, both ranking near the bottom of the NFL.

The problems have extended beyond defending the run.

The Raiders have repeatedly allowed opponents to build early leads, forcing an offense already struggling to establish its rushing attack into difficult situations.

Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard faces the challenge of correcting those issues before the season slips further away.

The Raiders have invested heavily in their defense, including additions such as Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye.

But those moves haven't prevented the unit from becoming one of the team's biggest liabilities.

The defensive struggles were already evident during the loss to Buffalo, when Las Vegas surrendered 33 points despite nearly pulling off an upset.

Now, the Raiders face another test against the Jets.

Holding New York to fewer than 27 points would prevent Las Vegas from setting an unwanted franchise record.

More importantly, it would represent a much-needed step toward reversing a troubling defensive trend.