2023 Las Vegas Raiders schedule analysis
On Thursday, the NFL released the Las Vegas Raiders' complete schedule. Per NFL Research, Raiders opponents had a 150-136-2 record in 2022, making their schedule the 10th most difficult in the NFL.
Circle The Date: Week 12 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs (Nov. 26)
The biggest game for the Raiders will come in Week 12 when they host the Chiefs. The last time they played in Las Vegas, the Chiefs mocked the Raiders when they ran a "Ring-Around-The-Rosie" huddle in a 31-13 blowout. So it's an opportunity to get revenge.
Since 2018, the Raiders have turned in a 1-9 record against their ostensible rival. They desperately need this win to build respectability against their AFC West foe. Las Vegas must win big divisional games to return to the playoffs.
Toughest Stretch: Weeks 1-4
The Raiders face a demanding schedule from the jump. Three of the team's first four games are on the road and they play a pair of divisional games in this stretch, against the Denver Broncos (Week 1) and the Las Angeles Chargers (Week 4). In Week 2, they must travel to Buffalo, which has the third-best Super Bowl odds, per OddsChecker.
Their lone home game is not easy, either. In Week 3, Las Vegas hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team which has never had a losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin. Additionally, second-year QB Kenny Pickett could show signs of improvement in the fall.
The early schedule was a brutal draw for the Raiders and they may not roar out of the gates.
Easiest Stretch: Weeks 5-7
The middle of the season should be an easy slate of games for the Raiders. They host two contests and face three teams that missed the playoffs last season -- the Green Bay Packers (Week 5), New England Patriots (Week 6) and Chicago Bears (Week 7).
Green Bay and New England have question marks at quarterback. Packers QB Jordan Love has only started in one game in three seasons and is trying to replace star Aaron Rodgers, while Patriots QB Mac Jones regressed last season, tying for 28th in QBR (36.1) after he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
Las Vegas could regain momentum during this portion of their schedule and use it as a springboard for a late-season playoff push.
Merry Christmas: Week 16
The Raiders will be part of the NFL's first Christmas Day triple-header when they visit Arrowhead Stadium in Week 16.
Las Vegas has only played twice on the holiday. The last time was in 2017 against the Philadelphia Eagles. A victory over their longtime rival would be a great gift for Raider fans.
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