The Las Vegas Raiders got off to a strong start in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, as they won their opening game on the road against the New England Patriots. They followed that up, however, with four straight losses, causing the fan base to start turning their attention to the future.

Las Vegas was finally able to get back in the win column in Week 6, as they improved to 2-4 with their best performance of the season. The Raiders’ defense, especially, had an elite performance, as they cruised to a 20-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

While they are still two games out of a postseason spot, it doesn’t appear that the locker room is ready to give up on the season. Following their most recent victory, veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts revealed that he is still quite optimistic about the team’s chances to make a run.

Last weekend, Smith electrified Miami’s offense with a 68-yard touchdown catch and a 50-yard kickoff return that reignited Hard Rock Stadium. His speed, vision, and field awareness make him the kind of “X-factor” fantasy teams crave when bye weeks hit hard.

What makes Smith special isn’t just his ability — it’s his adaptability. He’s lined up in the slot, out wide, and even in the backfield. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has praised his football IQ and willingness to take on any role. “He’s the spark,” Dawson said. “Whenever we need momentum, Brashard gives it to us.”

Fantasy experts are taking note. Smith’s snap counts have quietly increased, and his target share is climbing with every passing week. More importantly, his involvement in special teams gives him an added layer of upside that many players lack — a potential difference-maker in leagues that reward all-purpose yards.

Fans have begun to catch on, too. Twitter threads praising his “underrated consistency” and “home-run potential” have flooded timelines. Some have already dubbed him “the ultimate flex stash.” Others simply call him “the player who could save your season.”

His journey to this point hasn’t been easy. Once viewed as a depth receiver, Smith spent last season buried on the depth chart. Instead of sulking, he sharpened his route running and developed chemistry with his quarterback. That patience is now paying off — and in the unpredictable world of fantasy football, timing is everything.

What makes Smith so enticing is that he’s more than a stat line. He represents a philosophy that defines successful fantasy seasons: betting on talent before everyone else notices. Those who pick him up now won’t just get production — they’ll get a front-row seat to a breakout in progress.

As fantasy leagues hit the halfway mark, depth and foresight matter more than ever. Injuries, bye weeks, and inconsistent stars have left many rosters limping. But in Week 8, two players — Kyle Monangai and Brashard Smith — are giving managers something far more important than points: hope.

Elandon Roberts shares why Raiders fans shouldn’t give up on 2025 season

The Raiders have had moments where the defense looks elite, and others where it looks like one of the league’s worst units. Meanwhile, the offense has not yet reached its potential due to a struggling offensive line, poor play from Geno Smith, and key injuries to Kolton Miller and Brock Bowers.

Despite the struggles, Roberts believes the team can still make a run, citing his experience with the Miami Dolphins back in 2021. Raiders.com’s Paul Gutierrez shared these comments from the tenth-year linebacker.

“Remember, I’m so optimistic, I was on a 1-7 Dolphins team that went to the playoffs [in 2021],” Roberts said. “I done been through it and this team is built, from a talent perspective to a mentality, better than that team was.”

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The 2021 Dolphins won seven straight games after starting 1-7, before splitting their final two matchups to finish 9-8. While Roberts claimed that they reached the postseason, they actually fell just short, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, who finished 9-7-1, earned the AFC’s final postseason spot.

Of course, starting 1-7 is much different than 2-4. While the Raiders have not given their fans much to be encouraged about, particularly with a tough schedule the rest of the way, a Week 7 upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs would do plenty to change that. Plus, they don’t have nearly the uphill climb that the Dolphins did.

Las Vegas is expected to be without Bowers in the tough road divisional matchup; however, if the defense is able to repeat the performance they had on Sunday, the Raiders could be tough for any team to beat.

As unlikely as a postseason run may seem to fans who have experienced the past 23 seasons, the locker room is maintaining the right mentality as the season approaches its midway point. Anything can happen on any given Sunday in the NFL, so Raider Nation should remain optimistic, at least for now.