The 2020-21 NFL schedule has been released. The Las Vegas Raiders have four (4) games in Prime Time. This post examines the first eight games on the Raiders schedule.
The 2019-20 NFL schedule was a difficult challenge for the Raiders. At one point, they went six games in a row without playing a game in Oakland. They ultimately finished 7-9, missing a chance at the final Wild Card spot. This year, the playoff structure has been adjusted and there will now be 3 Wild Cards per conference. Can the Raiders rack up enough wins to make the playoffs for the first time in Jon Gruden's second tenure? Let's take a look at their schedule and see what the preseason outlook is.
Week 1 - @ Carolina Panthers. September 13th, 2020
Context: The Raiders will begin their regular season on the road in Carolina. The Panthers are a team in transition. With the hire of new coach Matt Rhule and the change in quarterbacks from franchise player Cam Newton to free-agent signing Teddy Bridgewater, the Panthers will likely be a lot different from last years' iteration. The Panthers struggled to a 5-11 record last season. They were mediocre on offense behind Kyle Allen for most of the year, with the bright spot being standout Christian McCaffrey. They were quite poor on defense, finishing 31st in points allowed As always, Week 1 brings a ton of questions. Will this game include fans? Will any NFL game this year? Overall, this a big question mark of a season-opener.
Key Additions: QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Robby Anderson
Key Losses: TE Greg Olsen, CB James Bradberry, DL Gerald McCoy, DE Mario Addison
All-Time Record: 3-3
Last Meeting: 2016, Raiders Won 35-32 in Oakland. Derek Carr left the game after breaking his finger, but returned later to spur a Raiders comeback. Khalil Mack picked off Cam Newton and walked into the endzone. All was right with the world.
Week 2 - New Orleans Saints. September 21st, 2020
Context: Monday Night Football. The first game at Allegiant Stadium, underneath the lights of Las Vegas. This will be a can't-miss game (presuming fans will be attendance). The opponent is one of tremendous quality. The Saints are perennial Super Bowl contenders - and this may just be the last ride for Drew Brees (an undoubted Hall of Famer in waiting). The Saints bring firepower in the form of league leading receiver Michael Thomas, standout weapon X Taysom Hill and a familiar face in TE Jared Cook. They were knocked out in the Wild Card round against the Vikings last season in overtime. This could be a shoot-out, similar to the last matchup in 2016.
Key Additions: LB AJ Klein, S Malcolm Jenkins, WR Emmanuel Sanders
Key Losses: S Vonn Bell, CB Eli Apple, QB Teddy Bridgewater
All-Time Record: 6-6-1
Last Meeting: 2016. Raiders won 35-34 in New Orleans. Coach Jack Del Rio opted to go for a 2-point to take the lead instead of a game-tying extra point and it paid off - with WR Michael Crabtree making a tremendous catch to seal the win. Drew Brees threw for over 400 yards and 4 TDS and Willie Snead caught 9 passes for 172 yards and a TD. It was the start of a magical 2016 for the Raiders, a high they've been chasing ever since.
Week 3 - @ New England Patriots. September 27th, 2020
Context: In the last 20 years or so, a trip to Foxborough or really any game against the Patriots was chalked up as an automatic loss. Could things be different this year? For the first time in a long time, the Patriots are saddled with a ton of question marks. The biggest one concerning the transition from 6-time Superbowl Winner Tom Brady to totally unproven Jarrett Stidham. Last year, New England was surprisingly ousted in the Wild Card round by the Titans. They boasted the leagues best defense in terms of points against. The loss of Brady and other veterans provides some optimism for the Raiders in this matchup, but they will still have to contend with a tough New England defense. Oh, and they still have one of the best coaches of all time who seems to love owning the Raiders.
Key Additions: S Kyle Dugger (Draft), LB Anfernee Jennings (Draft), FB Danny Vitale
Key Losses: QB Tom Brady, LB Kyle Van Noy, LB Jamie Collins, K Stephen Gostkowski
All-Time Record: 14-17-1
Last Meeting: 2017. Patriots won 33-8. The Patriots decimated the Raiders in Mexico City. Brady was near flawless, completing 30/37 passes for 3 TDs. WR Brandin Cooks caught 6 passes for 149 yards and a TD. Nobody on the Raiders besides Derek Carr (237) accounted for over 100 yards of offense. The type of beatdown the Raiders would like to avoid in future seasons, and another terrible loss in 2017 that contributed to the decimation of the Reggie McKenzie/Jack Del Rio era.
Week 4 - Buffalo Bills. October 4th, 2020
Context: The Bills were one of the better stories of last year, fighting their way to a 10-6 record a Wild Card berth. They were defeated by a great performance from DeShaun Watson in the Wild Card, but there were plenty of reasons for optimism for the Bills last season. They had a stout defense led by LB Tremaine Edmunds and CB Tre'Davious White. Young QB Josh Allen showed a lot of toughness (20 TD/9 INT + 9 rushing TDs). They also added superstar WR Stefon Diggs through trade. The Bills are another team looking to capitalize on the loss of Tom Brady and are hoping to push for their first AFC East crown since 1995. Another tough game for the Raiders in their brand new stadium.
Key Additions: WR Stefon Diggs, DE Mario Addison, LB AJ Klein,
Key Losses: DE Shaq Lawson, DT Jordan Phillips, RB Frank Gore
All-Time Record: 21-18
Last Meeting: 2017. Bills won 34-14 at Orchard Park. RB LeSean McCoy ran roughshod on the Raiders to the tune of 151 yards and a TD. Former Raider WR Andre Holmes caught 3 passes for 51 yards and a TD.
Week 5 - @ Kansas City Chiefs. October 11th, 2020.
Context: You may have heard the Chiefs won the Superbowl last year behind superstar and league MVP Patrick Mahomes. You may also be vaguely aware that the Chiefs have won 10 of the last 11 games vs the Raiders. Indeed, the Chiefs sit atop the AFC West as the unquestioned favorites of the division and the major obstacle for the Raiders, Broncos, and Chargers. Most of the Raiders free agent and draft moves were likely made with competing with Kansas City in mind. They drafted WR Henry Ruggs III to hopefully emulate what WR (and known pregnant woman-choker and child-abuser) Tyreek Hill brings to the Chiefs. The reprieve in this matchup comes in the form of scheduling. Many trips to Arrowhead Stadium in previous years have come in December in the cold, where the Raiders and Derek Carr have infamously struggled. This game happens in October, when the game may not be covered in snow. All paths to the Superbowl go through Kansas City. The Raiders may not be ready to overthrow the Chiefs, but this game will be a litmus test of the Raiders ability to compete and to contend.
Key Additions: CB Bashaud Breeland, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Draft), OL Mike Remmers
Key Losses: CB Kendall Fuller, OL Stefan Wisniewski, RB LeSean McCoy
All-Time Record: 52-65-2
Last Meeting: 2019. Chiefs won 40-9 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs overwhelmed the Raiders in a game where Patrick Mahomes didn't have to do much to ensure the victory. He passed for only 175 yards on 15 completions, but threw and ran for touchdowns. Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller showed up for the Raiders - but they looked to be the only ones.
Week 6 - BYE WEEK
Context: A Week 6 Bye will give the Raiders a chance to adjust and reflect on their first 5 games. Frankly, the first part of their schedule is quite tough. They will likely have an idea what kind of year they are in for at this point. 3 or more wins by this time would be a very positive sign.
Week 7 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers. October 25th, 2020.
Context: The Raiders return from their bye hosting the new-look Tampa Bay Bucs. The Bucs finished 7-9 last season as QB Jameis Winston became the founding member of the 30 TD/30 INT club. This year, they will be piloted by Tom Brady. Joining him will be TE Rob Gronkowski, who returned from "retirement" to be reunited with his QB. Tampa actually had a quite potent offense last year, but a pretty poor defense outside of standout pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett (19.5 sacks). It is difficult to predict this game as no one has seen what effect the change from Winston to Brady will have on the team. This game will also mark the Raiders second prime time game of the season - it will be played on Sunday Night Football.
Key Additions: QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski
Key Losses: DE Carl Nassib, RB Peyton Barber, DT Beau Allen
All-Time Record: 7-2 (+ a very sad Superbowl loss)
Last Meeting: 2016. Raiders won 30-24 in Tampa Bay. Derek Carr threw for a career-high 513 yards and 4 TDs. That included a walk-off 41 yard TD in overtime to WR Seth Roberts. WR Amari Cooper had 12 catches for 173 yards and a TD. DE Khalil Mack had 2 sacks.
Week 8 - @ Cleveland Browns. November 1st, 2020
Context: The Browns enter 2020 still looking to take the next step from "possible contender" to "contender". In 2019, the Browns season turned quickly from one filled with a lot of optimism to a very disappointing 6-10 record. They were pedestrian on both sides of the ball, save for strong performances from RB Nick Chubb (1494 yards, 8 TDs) and WR Jarvis Landry (1174 yards, 6 TDs). Head Coach Freddie Kitchens will look to rebound with a retooled offensive line and another proven weapon for QB Baker Mayfield in TE Austin Hooper.
Key Additions: T Jack Conklin, TE Austin Hooper, T Jedrick Willis (Draft)
Key Losses: LB Joe Schobert, FS Eric Murray
All-Time Record: 13-10
Last Meeting: 2018. Raiders won 45-42 in Oakland. Derek Carr dueled with Baker Mayfield and came out victorious - with a Matt McCrane 29 yard FG settling things in overtime. Nick Chubb ran for 105 yards on 3 (three???) carries. Marshawn Lynch posted 120 yards on the ground and TE Jared Cook caught 8 passes for 110 yards and 2 TDs. Gareon Conley returned a interception for a score and veteran WR Jordy Nelson also found the endzone.
Week 9 - @ Los Angeles Chargers, November 8th, 2020
Context: The Raiders complete the first half of their schedule with a return to California against the Chargers. Since the Chargers moved to LA, they have failed to capture home support against the visiting Raiders. The Chargers are another team in the midst of a re-tool. They finished 5-11 and drafted a rookie QB in Justin Herbert to replace longtime starter Phillip Rivers. They retain pass-rushing due Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and turned over the full-time starting RB position to Austin Ekeler. Another test for the Raiders and one that carries divisional importance.
Key Additions: G Trai Turner, CB Chris Harris Jr., DT Linval Joseph, T Bryan Bulaga
Key Losses: QB Phillip Rivers, OT Russell Okung, RB Melvin Gordon
All-Time Record: 64-54-2
Last Meeting: 2019. Raiders won 24-17 in LA. A pro-Raiders crowd watched QB Derek Carr's intricate 24/30 passing performance. WR Hunter Renfrow got loose for a 56 yard touchdown pass. Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Clelin Ferrell all recorded sacks. LB Will Compton tallied 12 total tackles.
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Check back soon for the preview for the second half of the Las Vegas Raiders season.
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| Ethan Miller/Getty Images |
The 2019-20 NFL schedule was a difficult challenge for the Raiders. At one point, they went six games in a row without playing a game in Oakland. They ultimately finished 7-9, missing a chance at the final Wild Card spot. This year, the playoff structure has been adjusted and there will now be 3 Wild Cards per conference. Can the Raiders rack up enough wins to make the playoffs for the first time in Jon Gruden's second tenure? Let's take a look at their schedule and see what the preseason outlook is.
Week 1 - @ Carolina Panthers. September 13th, 2020
Context: The Raiders will begin their regular season on the road in Carolina. The Panthers are a team in transition. With the hire of new coach Matt Rhule and the change in quarterbacks from franchise player Cam Newton to free-agent signing Teddy Bridgewater, the Panthers will likely be a lot different from last years' iteration. The Panthers struggled to a 5-11 record last season. They were mediocre on offense behind Kyle Allen for most of the year, with the bright spot being standout Christian McCaffrey. They were quite poor on defense, finishing 31st in points allowed As always, Week 1 brings a ton of questions. Will this game include fans? Will any NFL game this year? Overall, this a big question mark of a season-opener.
Key Additions: QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Robby Anderson
Key Losses: TE Greg Olsen, CB James Bradberry, DL Gerald McCoy, DE Mario Addison
All-Time Record: 3-3
Last Meeting: 2016, Raiders Won 35-32 in Oakland. Derek Carr left the game after breaking his finger, but returned later to spur a Raiders comeback. Khalil Mack picked off Cam Newton and walked into the endzone. All was right with the world.
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| Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports |
Week 2 - New Orleans Saints. September 21st, 2020
Context: Monday Night Football. The first game at Allegiant Stadium, underneath the lights of Las Vegas. This will be a can't-miss game (presuming fans will be attendance). The opponent is one of tremendous quality. The Saints are perennial Super Bowl contenders - and this may just be the last ride for Drew Brees (an undoubted Hall of Famer in waiting). The Saints bring firepower in the form of league leading receiver Michael Thomas, standout weapon X Taysom Hill and a familiar face in TE Jared Cook. They were knocked out in the Wild Card round against the Vikings last season in overtime. This could be a shoot-out, similar to the last matchup in 2016.
Key Additions: LB AJ Klein, S Malcolm Jenkins, WR Emmanuel Sanders
Key Losses: S Vonn Bell, CB Eli Apple, QB Teddy Bridgewater
All-Time Record: 6-6-1
Last Meeting: 2016. Raiders won 35-34 in New Orleans. Coach Jack Del Rio opted to go for a 2-point to take the lead instead of a game-tying extra point and it paid off - with WR Michael Crabtree making a tremendous catch to seal the win. Drew Brees threw for over 400 yards and 4 TDS and Willie Snead caught 9 passes for 172 yards and a TD. It was the start of a magical 2016 for the Raiders, a high they've been chasing ever since.
Week 3 - @ New England Patriots. September 27th, 2020
Context: In the last 20 years or so, a trip to Foxborough or really any game against the Patriots was chalked up as an automatic loss. Could things be different this year? For the first time in a long time, the Patriots are saddled with a ton of question marks. The biggest one concerning the transition from 6-time Superbowl Winner Tom Brady to totally unproven Jarrett Stidham. Last year, New England was surprisingly ousted in the Wild Card round by the Titans. They boasted the leagues best defense in terms of points against. The loss of Brady and other veterans provides some optimism for the Raiders in this matchup, but they will still have to contend with a tough New England defense. Oh, and they still have one of the best coaches of all time who seems to love owning the Raiders.
Key Additions: S Kyle Dugger (Draft), LB Anfernee Jennings (Draft), FB Danny Vitale
Key Losses: QB Tom Brady, LB Kyle Van Noy, LB Jamie Collins, K Stephen Gostkowski
All-Time Record: 14-17-1
Last Meeting: 2017. Patriots won 33-8. The Patriots decimated the Raiders in Mexico City. Brady was near flawless, completing 30/37 passes for 3 TDs. WR Brandin Cooks caught 6 passes for 149 yards and a TD. Nobody on the Raiders besides Derek Carr (237) accounted for over 100 yards of offense. The type of beatdown the Raiders would like to avoid in future seasons, and another terrible loss in 2017 that contributed to the decimation of the Reggie McKenzie/Jack Del Rio era.
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| (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski) |
Week 4 - Buffalo Bills. October 4th, 2020
Context: The Bills were one of the better stories of last year, fighting their way to a 10-6 record a Wild Card berth. They were defeated by a great performance from DeShaun Watson in the Wild Card, but there were plenty of reasons for optimism for the Bills last season. They had a stout defense led by LB Tremaine Edmunds and CB Tre'Davious White. Young QB Josh Allen showed a lot of toughness (20 TD/9 INT + 9 rushing TDs). They also added superstar WR Stefon Diggs through trade. The Bills are another team looking to capitalize on the loss of Tom Brady and are hoping to push for their first AFC East crown since 1995. Another tough game for the Raiders in their brand new stadium.
Key Additions: WR Stefon Diggs, DE Mario Addison, LB AJ Klein,
Key Losses: DE Shaq Lawson, DT Jordan Phillips, RB Frank Gore
All-Time Record: 21-18
Last Meeting: 2017. Bills won 34-14 at Orchard Park. RB LeSean McCoy ran roughshod on the Raiders to the tune of 151 yards and a TD. Former Raider WR Andre Holmes caught 3 passes for 51 yards and a TD.
Week 5 - @ Kansas City Chiefs. October 11th, 2020.
Context: You may have heard the Chiefs won the Superbowl last year behind superstar and league MVP Patrick Mahomes. You may also be vaguely aware that the Chiefs have won 10 of the last 11 games vs the Raiders. Indeed, the Chiefs sit atop the AFC West as the unquestioned favorites of the division and the major obstacle for the Raiders, Broncos, and Chargers. Most of the Raiders free agent and draft moves were likely made with competing with Kansas City in mind. They drafted WR Henry Ruggs III to hopefully emulate what WR (and known pregnant woman-choker and child-abuser) Tyreek Hill brings to the Chiefs. The reprieve in this matchup comes in the form of scheduling. Many trips to Arrowhead Stadium in previous years have come in December in the cold, where the Raiders and Derek Carr have infamously struggled. This game happens in October, when the game may not be covered in snow. All paths to the Superbowl go through Kansas City. The Raiders may not be ready to overthrow the Chiefs, but this game will be a litmus test of the Raiders ability to compete and to contend.
Key Additions: CB Bashaud Breeland, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Draft), OL Mike Remmers
Key Losses: CB Kendall Fuller, OL Stefan Wisniewski, RB LeSean McCoy
All-Time Record: 52-65-2
Last Meeting: 2019. Chiefs won 40-9 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs overwhelmed the Raiders in a game where Patrick Mahomes didn't have to do much to ensure the victory. He passed for only 175 yards on 15 completions, but threw and ran for touchdowns. Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller showed up for the Raiders - but they looked to be the only ones.
Context: A Week 6 Bye will give the Raiders a chance to adjust and reflect on their first 5 games. Frankly, the first part of their schedule is quite tough. They will likely have an idea what kind of year they are in for at this point. 3 or more wins by this time would be a very positive sign.
Week 7 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers. October 25th, 2020.
Context: The Raiders return from their bye hosting the new-look Tampa Bay Bucs. The Bucs finished 7-9 last season as QB Jameis Winston became the founding member of the 30 TD/30 INT club. This year, they will be piloted by Tom Brady. Joining him will be TE Rob Gronkowski, who returned from "retirement" to be reunited with his QB. Tampa actually had a quite potent offense last year, but a pretty poor defense outside of standout pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett (19.5 sacks). It is difficult to predict this game as no one has seen what effect the change from Winston to Brady will have on the team. This game will also mark the Raiders second prime time game of the season - it will be played on Sunday Night Football.
Key Additions: QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski
Key Losses: DE Carl Nassib, RB Peyton Barber, DT Beau Allen
All-Time Record: 7-2 (+ a very sad Superbowl loss)
Last Meeting: 2016. Raiders won 30-24 in Tampa Bay. Derek Carr threw for a career-high 513 yards and 4 TDs. That included a walk-off 41 yard TD in overtime to WR Seth Roberts. WR Amari Cooper had 12 catches for 173 yards and a TD. DE Khalil Mack had 2 sacks.
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| Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images |
Week 8 - @ Cleveland Browns. November 1st, 2020
Context: The Browns enter 2020 still looking to take the next step from "possible contender" to "contender". In 2019, the Browns season turned quickly from one filled with a lot of optimism to a very disappointing 6-10 record. They were pedestrian on both sides of the ball, save for strong performances from RB Nick Chubb (1494 yards, 8 TDs) and WR Jarvis Landry (1174 yards, 6 TDs). Head Coach Freddie Kitchens will look to rebound with a retooled offensive line and another proven weapon for QB Baker Mayfield in TE Austin Hooper.
Key Additions: T Jack Conklin, TE Austin Hooper, T Jedrick Willis (Draft)
Key Losses: LB Joe Schobert, FS Eric Murray
All-Time Record: 13-10
Last Meeting: 2018. Raiders won 45-42 in Oakland. Derek Carr dueled with Baker Mayfield and came out victorious - with a Matt McCrane 29 yard FG settling things in overtime. Nick Chubb ran for 105 yards on 3 (three???) carries. Marshawn Lynch posted 120 yards on the ground and TE Jared Cook caught 8 passes for 110 yards and 2 TDs. Gareon Conley returned a interception for a score and veteran WR Jordy Nelson also found the endzone.
Week 9 - @ Los Angeles Chargers, November 8th, 2020
Context: The Raiders complete the first half of their schedule with a return to California against the Chargers. Since the Chargers moved to LA, they have failed to capture home support against the visiting Raiders. The Chargers are another team in the midst of a re-tool. They finished 5-11 and drafted a rookie QB in Justin Herbert to replace longtime starter Phillip Rivers. They retain pass-rushing due Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and turned over the full-time starting RB position to Austin Ekeler. Another test for the Raiders and one that carries divisional importance.
Key Additions: G Trai Turner, CB Chris Harris Jr., DT Linval Joseph, T Bryan Bulaga
Key Losses: QB Phillip Rivers, OT Russell Okung, RB Melvin Gordon
All-Time Record: 64-54-2
Last Meeting: 2019. Raiders won 24-17 in LA. A pro-Raiders crowd watched QB Derek Carr's intricate 24/30 passing performance. WR Hunter Renfrow got loose for a 56 yard touchdown pass. Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Clelin Ferrell all recorded sacks. LB Will Compton tallied 12 total tackles.
_____________________________________________
Check back soon for the preview for the second half of the Las Vegas Raiders season.
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