During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Oakland Raiders most difficult games are the focus.
Oakland Raiders Most Difficult Games in 2016
1) Week 14 @ Kansas City Chiefs
Unsurprisingly, the most difficult game on the Raiders’ 2016 schedule is their Week 14 match-up with the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City remains as perhaps the one team in the AFC West with a more talented roster than Oakland, and they have the playoff experience and veteran leadership that the Raiders don’t. Along with this is the mania that is Arrowhead and the Chiefs’ faithful, which help make Kansas City one of the most difficult teams to beat on the road. However, the biggest obstacle that Oakland will have to overcome will be the short week as the teams will square off on Thursday Night Football.
With the Raiders’ revamped roster and the young talent that is showing legitimate signs of growth and development, it’s fair to expect them to be competitive and have an opportunity to win each and every game in 2016. However it’s also fair to say a victory in Kansas City would be the most surprising, and impressive, accomplishment of the season.
2) Week 17 @ Denver Broncos
Despite their Week 9 clash in Oakland with the rival Broncos only earning the tenth spot on this list, when the Raiders visit Mile High Stadium in Denver there’s no doubt it will be one of the biggest and most difficult games of the season. It’s likely that this match-up will play a substantial role in the outcome of both the wildcard and division race. This means pressure, and lots of it, will be resting on the shoulders of both the Broncos and Raiders. On top of this lies the fact that Oakland will be entering hostile territory, against an elite defense, in what should be a cold-weather game. With all these things considered, it’s no wonder the 2016 season finale will be one of the most challenging games of the year.
3) Week 12 vs. Carolina Panthers
The Raiders game against the Panthers in Week 12 might be their most difficult match-up in terms of the strength of their opponent. If it weren’t for Carolina having to take the long trip out to the Bay, it would be the top of this list. However, the Raiders will be coming off of a short week after their Mexico City game with the Houston Texans, which only adds another layer to this challenging match-up. Cam Newton and the Panthers come into 2016 looking largely the same from their Super Bowl appearance. The only glaring absence is corner back Josh Norman. However, Carolina will bring back injured receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who makes an already potent offense almost terrifying. While it’s unlikely the Panthers play up to the same level as last season, an Oakland victory will still be hard to come by.
4) Week 6 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Clearly the most difficult game in the first half of the Oakland schedule will be their first match-up with division rival Kansas City. The Chiefs are the AFC West favorite entering the year, thus making this a potential statement game for the Raiders. After a rough start to their 2015 campaign, Andy Reid was able to right the ship and guide the Chiefs into the playoffs. The return of Jamaal Charles will only make this team more dangerous. The Raiders are desperate to compete for the division crown in 2016. If they are going to make a legitimate run at it then their home match-up with the Chiefs will be essential, and extremely demanding.
5) Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
The first of two primetime games for the 2016 Raiders will be their Monday Night Football match-up with the Houston Texans in Mexico City. This special international match-up and return to the national spotlight is a positive sign for the direction of the franchise. However, its impact on the season may outweigh that positive.
Though the Raiders will play as the home team in the game, this neutral site match-up will likely see a mixture of fan support for both teams. In addition, the Texans are primed to be a contender in the AFC if the signing of Brock Osweiler pans out. The Raiders will have one advantage on their side as they’ll be coming off of their bye week. The national hype behind this game will be large. The match-up will feature the NFL’s current best defensive player in J.J. Watt against rising star Khalil Mack who is aiming for the throne. In the end, the Raiders will have their hands full in this one.
6) Week 16 vs. Indianapolis Colts
This week 16 match-up with the Indianapolis Colts is likely to be crunch time for both teams. It could be a pivotal game for both the AFC West and South divisional races, along with two AFC wildcard spots. After a disappointing 2015 season, the Colts are looking for a turnaround in 2016. They are hoping that Andrew Luck will return to his elite form after a season of injuries. After all, this is an Indianapolis team that is just one year removed from a birth in the AFC Championship Game. Luckily for the Raiders, they will be playing host to the Colts in this game. With only one game left the following week and playoff hopes likely on the line, this is sure to be a game with enormous pressure on the young Oakland squad.
7) Week 4 @ Baltimore Ravens
The timing of this game will be a considerable challenge for Oakland in this week four match-up with John Harbaugh’s Ravens. The game comes as the third eastern time zone trip in the first four weeks of the season. At the start of last season, Oakland had lost 16 consecutive games in the eastern time zone. That changed in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns. While that can surely be attributed to the franchise’s dismal rosters over the years as well, the eastern trip still poses a challenge to the west coast team.
After an exciting victory over Baltimore in the O.co Coliseum last year thanks to a heroic effort from Derek Carr, the 2016 match-up looks to be equally as thrilling. The 2015 Ravens imploded after injuries depleted the team, but the return of Joe Flacco allows them to be competitive again. Oakland will have their second serious challenge within the first four weeks. By the end of the trip to Baltimore we will likely know the direction the Raiders season is heading.
8) Week 1 @ New Orleans Saints
Starting off the list of most difficult games on the Raiders’ schedule will be the 2016 opener in New Orleans. The biggest challenge of this match-up for Oakland will once again be the timing. They begin the year on an eastern road trip into the Superdome. The new additions of the Raiders secondary will immediately be tested by Drew Brees and the Saints’ passing attack. This Saints team, might not be what they once were, but Brees remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Explosive wide reciever Brandin Cooks is nearly impossible to contain. As a playoff contender, the Raiders will have a chance in this game. The result could be critical to a successful season as they hope to start the year off on the right foot.
Be sure to check out the Raiders easiest games here.
Main Photo
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 27: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders looks on against the Cleveland Browns during a game at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 27, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Raiders defeated the Browns 27-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
