The Raiders schedule is out and there’s plenty to dive into.
Not all games are created equal. All can be considered must-wins in a 17-game season. But some you just have to see. Here are the top five for the Raiders this season:
Week 1 at Denver Broncos
Raiders open the season at home against the bitter rival Broncos. That should be enough, but adding to the intrigue is Sean Payton’s debut as the Broncos’ new head coach. Russell Wilson used to draw comparisons to Drew Brees who had a Hall of Fame career under Payton. Or if Wilson’s career continues to slide following the worst season of his career. You can bet Payton will have plenty of tricks up his sleeve in his return to the sideline after a season away.
Week 2 at Buffalo Bills
Outside of the Chiefs, the Raiders won’t face a tougher opponent. The Bills were ranked 2nd in the NFL last season in both points scored AND points allowed. And finished with the league’s second best record. And while we talk about the AFC West QBs being tough, they don’t get any tougher than Josh Allen.
Week 4 at Chargers
Raiders GM Dave Ziegler said the primary reason for drafting Tyree Wilson at seven overall was because of facing the likes of Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes twice per season. The first up will be Herbert, who was gifted another receiver in this year’s draft with the Chargers selecting Quentin Johnston at 21st overall. A reminder, he still has Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. These two teams have blessed us with some great games in recent years including the 2021 season finale stunner and the 2022 season-opener.
Week 6 vs New England Patriots
The Patriots return to Las Vegas for the second consecutive season. Last year it was a fluke play at the end by Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers that allowed the Raiders the snatch victory from the jaws of defeat – something that ultimately just cost them a higher draft selection, but made for an exciting finish to a hard-fought game.
This year Meyers has joined the Raiders. Along with several other former Patriots players including QB Jimmy Garoppolo. And they join a host of other former Patriots, including GM Davie Ziegler, head coach Josh McDaniels. So, yeah, it’s another homecoming to Patriots west for Bill Belichick and the gang.
Week 10 vs New York Jets (SNF)
Aaron Rodgers will make his first trip to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday Night Football. The Cal grad has never lost to the Raiders in three meetings as Packers QB. Many had hoped the future Hall of Famer would join the Raiders this offseason as the team moved on from Derek Carr. But ultimately, after his darkness retreat and keeping everyone hanging for months, he was traded to the Jets. Now he comes to Las Vegas as an opponent.
Add that the Jets had the league’s 4th ranked defense in terms of yards and points allowed last season, and they also present a tough matchup for the Raiders’ newcomers of QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Jakobi Meyers, and TE Michael Mayer.
