The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the 2025 season with aspirations that new head coach Pete Carroll could steer the franchise into a successful era. Instead, things took a downturn right from the start. The season ended dismally, with the team finishing at the bottom of the league with a record of 3 wins and 14 losses, which guarantees them the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Geno Smith struggled as a quarterback, consistently turning the ball over, while the offensive line had a tough time creating gaps for rookie running back Ashton Giunty.
Carroll was fired after the disheartening season. The organization will soon name a new head coach who will be fortunate enough to choose a foundational player with that top draft pick in April. Other pressing issues remain, such as Maxx Crosby’s future with the team, but at least they have clarity regarding their opponents for 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders opponent list
Las Vegas Raiders schedule analysis
Next season, the Raiders will play eight games at home and nine on the road until the 2026 international matchups are revealed. Their schedule will feature opponents from the entire NFC West and AFC East, alongside the regular six divisional contests within the AFC West. Finishing last in the division means they’ll conclude their 17-game slate against the lowest-ranking teams from the NFC South (Saints), AFC South (Titans), and AFC North (Browns).
The upcoming schedule looks daunting on paper, as they’ll face nine teams that made the playoffs in 2025. Among those, four will be divisional games against the Broncos and Chargers, while the game against the Chiefs will hinge on Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from his ACL/LCL injury. Having the AFC East and NFC West in the mix doesn’t help, as they are likely to encounter all four teams that participated in the conference championship. If the Raiders opt to draft either Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore as their future quarterback, it might be wise to let the veteran tackle the early part of the schedule before bringing in the rookie later on.
