Exploring a few of the hardest weeks on the schedule
The NFL released its schedule for the 2025 season and, outside of a significant rest disparity, the Las Vegas Raiders got a fairly favorable draw (on paper, of course). Finishing in last place in the AFC West during the previous campaign certainly helps, as the Raiders will have several matchups against fellow cellar dwellers this fall.
But this is the NFL and tough stretches on the schedule are expected. So, let’s take a look at three clusters of games that will test the Raiders’ mettle during the 2025 season.
Weeks 13-18
Matchups: @ Los Angeles Chargers, vs Denver Broncos, @ Philadelphia Eagles, @ Houston Texans, vs New York Giants, vs Kansas City Chiefs
Other than a home game against the Giants, Las Vegas is facing a gauntlet at the end of the season. The six games above include five matchups with reigning playoff teams, three of which are on the road, and both Super Bowl participants from last season. Also, this includes the final three divisional games of the year.
If the Raiders are playoff contenders this year, this stretch will be the difference between them making and missing the tournament.
Weeks 2 & 3
Matchups: vs Chargers (MNF), @ Washington Commanders
Las Vegas gets to open the campaign against the New England Patriots, who were also 4-13 in 2024. However, the team’s next two games make it more important that they take care of business in the season opener. Ideally, the Silver and Black will have more momentum heading into their first home game on Monday Night Football against the Chargers.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
The players can feed off the energy generated by the fans in Allegiant Stadium, and it’s easy to get motivated to play a division rival. That said, Los Angeles is a reigning playoff team and should be in the mix again this season, heightening the stakes for the contest. Then, the Raiders have to hit the road on a short week to face off against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, who were a ‘Final Four’ squad last season.
Coming away with wins against back-to-back postseason participants and an away game against a tough opponent is no easy task. This is a situation where the Silver and Black should be happy just to split the contests.
Weeks 10 & 11
Matchups: @ Broncos (TNF), vs Dallas Cowboys (MNF)
A couple of prime-time bouts in consecutive weeks certainly add some pressure, as there will be plenty of eyeballs on the Raiders at the beginning of November, which is crunch time for a playoff push. The Broncos game is certainly the tougher of the two, since it’s another road matchup on a short week.
Luckily, Las Vegas will have some extra time to recover and prepare for Dallas. However, the Raiders will still be at a rest disadvantage because the Cowboys have a bye the week before. Not to mention, the Boys should be much better this season, as injuries were the primary reason they finished 7-10 a year ago.
This might be another stretch that the Raiders are just hoping to break even during.