Following their 26-14 loss on Monday Night Football to the Detroit Lions, the Las Vegas Raiders are now 3-5 and in the middle of a two-game losing streak. Head coach Josh McDaniels has received a lot of the blame for their poor start, as his in-game decision-making has been called into question week after week. Star players, such as Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, now seem very malcontent in Las Vegas.
Following last night’s loss, it appears McDaniels’ seat has gotten considerably warmer, as he is now the leader in the first NFL head coach fired odds at one sportsbook.
First NFL Head Coach Fired Odds: Josh McDaniels New Betting Favorite
Currently, at BetOnline, McDaniels is +200 to be the first NFL head coach fired, making him the new betting favorite.
In 25 games as the Raiders’ head coach, McDaniels has a 9-16 record after taking over a team that made the playoffs in the season prior to his arrival. What’s even worse is the context of some of these losses.
Here's what Josh McDaniels has already accomplished in 25 games as #Raiders coach:
Lost to an undrafted D2 rookie QB making 1st start
Lost to HS coach in 1st NFL game
Blew double-digit lead to QB who never practiced w/ team
Blew biggest lead in franchise history (20 pts)
Blew 3…— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) October 31, 2023
The Raiders’ 3-5 record this season doesn’t even paint the full picture of how badly they’ve played. Las Vegas is currently 30th in DVOA and 28th in point differential at -61, which is even worse than the Denver Broncos, who lost by 50 points earlier this season.
McDaniels, known for his offensive-minded coaching style, has overseen the NFL’s 31st-ranked unit in yards per game. Unlike the other bad offenses in the NFL, the Raiders have plenty of talent at the skill positions with Jacobs, Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Jakobi Meyers.
Besides McDaniels, much of the blame offensively goes to QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who has a 35.2 QB rating and is leading the league in interceptions despite playing just six of eight games.
MORE: NFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds
Garoppolo, who was their replacement for Derek Carr, was supposed to have a smooth transition given his familiarity with McDaniels dating back to their time in New England. But so far this season, he has looked like one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, and that was on full display Monday night.
Jimmy Garoppolo needs to be benched
Davante could have 100+ and 2 TDs if Garoppolo hits some of these throws…pic.twitter.com/nrhPAgMwF1
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 31, 2023
Shortly behind McDaniels in the first head coach fired odds is Ron Rivera (+250), followed by Matt Eberflus (+320), Matt LaFleur (+650), and Brandon Staley (+1000).
The Raiders are short home favorites against the New York Giants this week, hoping to snap their two-game losing streak before a tough stretch against the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
McDaniels reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $10 million per year when he was hired in 2022, so it remains to be seen if they fire him mid-season. But at this rate, it would be a shocking upset if he kept his job beyond this season.
As long as the Raiders keep losing and McDaniels continues to make baffling in-game decisions, he should remain the leader in the first head coach fired odds until someone actually loses their job.
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