The NFL aims to create balance among teams by organizing a schedule that matches strong teams from one season against weaker teams from another. Essentially, if you finish last in your division, you’re going to face off against other struggling teams from across the league. Conversely, division champions will have similar matchups.
This means that, despite the league’s intentions to help out struggling teams, there’s no certainty that it will really work out. Take the Raiders, for instance, who shared the worst record last year but are facing one of the toughest schedules this season.
Scheduling is largely determined by the previous season’s win/loss records.
This year, the Raiders got a bit unlucky, as they’re set to play against the NFC West and AFC East, which include five playoff teams. Plus, they’ll compete against their AFC West rivals, the Broncos and Chargers, twice each.
Both of those rival teams also made it to the postseason.
In total, the Raiders will face nine teams that were in the playoffs last year.
It certainly poses a challenge for a team transitioning under new head coach Klint Kubiak, especially with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza likely starting for most of the season.
Perhaps that’s the reasoning behind the NFL omitting the Raiders from any primetime games this year.
3 Toughest Games
Week 9 at 49ers
It’s been eight years since the Raiders last played a regular season game in their old Bay Area home. That changes when they visit the 49ers in Santa Clara. This matchup is significant for both teams as they seek to appeal to their fans in the region. However, this game is undoubtedly a tough one for the Raiders against such a strong opponent.
3 easiest games
Week 1 vs. Dolphins
The Raiders are considering when to start Mendoza, their top draft pick, and kicking off the season against the Dolphins—predicted to be at the bottom of the league—might provide a helpful edge. Additionally, it’s at home, which could benefit Mendoza, who hails from Miami. This game could be a chance for a promising start.
Week 12 at Browns
By this time, it’s uncertain how well either team will be performing, especially if Mendoza is leading the Raiders. However, with the Browns in yet another rebuilding phase, it could provide a potential momentum-builder for the Raiders.
Week 17 at Cardinals
The Cardinals are projected to struggle this season, making them candidates for one of the league’s worst records. If they’re looking at a top draft pick around that time, the Raiders will want to finish strong, potentially making this match easier for them.
When is goodbye?
The Raiders don’t have their bye week until Week 13, meaning they’ll have a stretch of games before getting a break. It’s a long haul, especially after they started training camp early due to a coaching change. Luckily, they are one of the youngest squads in the NFL.
overall point
This offseason was an A+ for the Raiders in terms of free agency and the draft. Everything appears to be aligning for them at last. There’s hope for Mendoza and Kubiak to pull off a quick turnaround like the Texans have done recently, but the tough schedule may prove challenging. This doesn’t mean progress isn’t achievable, but the tough competition might not translate into a corresponding victory count.
Prediction: 7-10
