With the Las Vegas Raiders schedule being officially released, it is time for the yearly schedule breakdown. The Raiders have improved each season under Jon Gruden, so this should finally be the season that Las Vegas reaches the playoffs. Here is a breakdown of the Las Vegas Raiders schedule with each game ranked from most to least difficult.
Las Vegas Raiders Schedule Breakdown
- @ Kansas City Chiefs (Week 14)
Players and coaches of the Chiefs were vocally displeased with the Raiders taking victory laps around Arrowhead Stadium following a victory at Kansas City last season. Ironically enough, several Chiefs players were spotted dancing on the field during a blowout victory over the winless Jets just a few weeks later. Despite this lack of self-awareness, the Chiefs will be very motivated to stick it to the Raiders.
- @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 2)
The Raiders will be traveling to the east coast on a short week following a Monday night game against the Ravens. It is also commonly known that the Raiders have struggled in the past with east coast games. The Steelers defense will likely be at full strength as well, which is not easy for any team in the league to deal with.
- vs Kansas City Chiefs (Week 10)
Patrick Mahomes alone makes the Chiefs a tough outing for any opponent. You will no doubt find them at the top of every team’s list as far as toughest games of the season goes. The Chiefs showed last year that it does not mater if they are home or away. If you are not playing your best football, then you will not beat them.
- vs Baltimore Ravens (Week 1)
This will be Gus Bradley’s first game in charge of the Raiders defense. He has had success against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in the past, but new schemes take time to fully implement. The Ravens are a Super Bowl favorite, and this will be the first Monday Night Football game of the season.
[pickup_prop id=”7087″]
- vs Washington Football Team (Week 13)
Derek Carr has struggled with the Washington Football Team in the past. Their defensive line is arguably the best in the league, and the offense features a future top-five wide receiver in Terry McLaurin. The Raiders will have a few extra days of preparation due to playing a Thursday night game the following week, but Washington will be dangerous regardless.
- @ Indianapolis Colts (Week 17)
Regardless of how you feel about Carson Wentz, it is hard to deny that the Colts have one of the most complete rosters in the league from top to bottom. What they lack in superstar talent they make up for with depth, scheme and consistency. Both teams could be fighting for a playoff spot at this point as well. Overall team health could be one of the main determining factors in the outcome.
- @ Dallas Cowboys (Week 12)
The Raiders will be traveling to Dallas on a short week for this Thanksgiving game. While the Cowboys do not have a defense that is worth much of anything, their offense is as potent as it gets. When Dak Prescott is healthy, the Cowboys are a threat to drop 30-plus points on you any night. A shootout would definitely make for an entertaining game during Thanksgiving dinner
- vs Miami Dolphins (Week 3)
Even without a relief pitcher in Ryan Fitzpatrick to bail them out this season, the Dolphins are still a playoff contending team. They have added more pieces to the offense, which is what seemed to hold them back last season. The Dolphins are another team that is primed to make a push for the playoffs this season.
- @ Cleveland Browns (Week 15)
The Browns are another team that can make the case for best overall roster from top to bottom. They are dangerous when they can run the ball and pull the defense in with the play-action. The one question mark continues to be Baker Mayfield. If last year was his ceiling, then the Browns will not be making the Super Bowl anytime soon. Both teams will likely be in pursuit of a playoff spot, so a high-stakes game is all but certain.
- vs Los Angeles Chargers (Week 18)
Fittingly enough, the Raiders will end the regular season against yet another team likely to be fighting for a playoff spot. A lot of people are expecting big things from the Chargers this season. No one seems to care about the team having a rookie head coach, or the fact that close to half of their roster is on the injured reserve list by the end of the season. It will be interesting to see how much of the Chargers team is actually healthy by the last week of the regular season.
- vs Chicago Bears (Week 5)
It is still unknown who will be starting at quarterback for the Bears. Most fans in Chicago are hoping that it will be Justin Fields by this point in the season. If not, then it is hard to envision the Bears as a threat to anyone in the NFL. Matt Nagy is on the hot seat, so it will be interesting to see just how long Andy Dalton’s leash is.
- @ Los Angeles Chargers (Week 4)
Even though this game is being played in Los Angeles, it will be a home game for the Raiders. Every time these two teams play, the Raider Nation shows out in a big way at the stadium. It has to be morally demoralizing to see your division rival have a homefield advantage at your own stadium. At least Justin Herbert is amazing.
- @ New York Giants (Week 9)
The Raiders will be coming off a bye week when they travel to MetLife Stadium to play the Giants. The Giants will be a much better team than the media expects. They should be the favorite to win their division baring health from the running back and wide receiver positions. It is a make or break year for Daniel Jones.
- vs Cincinnati Bengals (Week 11)
The Bengals are another team that will be better than most people expect. If they can keep Joe Burrow on his feet, then Cincinnati will be capable of stealing a few games from unprepared opponents. They may be able to steal one from the Raiders if Las Vegas is coming off an emotional win over the Chiefs from the previous week.
- @ Denver Broncos (Week 6)
Unless the Broncos make a trade for Aaron Rodgers, then they will not be a threat to any other team in the AFC West. Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are not franchise quarterbacks. If you do not have one, then your team is already beginning the season with a visible ceiling in place. As of now, nobody fears the Broncos.
- vs Philadelphia Eagles (Week 7)
No one seems to be expecting much of anything from the Eagles. They have not drafted particularly well over the past few seasons, and the organization does not seem sold on Jalen Hurts. The Eagles will have to deal with a rookie coach trying to implement a new system. The Raiders will be motivated to roll through the Eagles on route to their bye week.
- vs Denver Broncos (Week 16)
By this point in the season, the Broncos will have already been eliminated from playoff contention. If that is the case, then Vic Fangio may not be the head coach by the time they play the Raiders for the second time. The Broncos will be coming into Las Vegas looking to play spoiler for the playoff-hopeful Raiders. The Raiders will be looking to sweep the Broncos for two straight seasons.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
