If the Las Vegas Raiders are going to return to the playoffs, they will need to navigate a tough schedule of games.
Over the last three seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders have started the year with a 2-0 record, and have started 3-0 in two of the last three. However, if the Raiders are to continue this trend in 2022, they could find themselves garnering national attention as favorites to win the AFC. While the Raiders have started their more recent seasons against some less-than-phenomenal opponents, the first three games of the 2022 season will feature two playoff teams and a Los Angeles Chargers team, still scorned from being eliminated from playoff contention on the final play of the 2021 season. Schedule or not, these games look rather daunting.
Rough From The Start
Although the first three games (Los Angeles, Arizona, and Tennessee) will be massive tests for the team, including the fourth and fifth games (Denver and Kansas City) to the conversation makes the Raiders’ start to the season play a pivotal role in their chances at returning to the playoffs. As crazy as it sounds, the Raiders will have played half of their divisional games within the first five weeks of the season. With every AFC West team showing massive promise toward making the playoffs, the Raiders must come out firing on all cylinders.
Early Rest, Late Stress
Continuing the tumultuous start to the season, the Raiders will take their bye week in Week 6, which might not be a bad thing after their five-week gauntlet, but an early bye also means the team will face twelve straight games to wrap up the year. Fortunately, the schedule lightens up a little following the bye, as the team will face Houston, New Orleans, and Jacksonville. While Houston may be viewed as hopeless in 2022, New Orleans and Jacksonville are both expected to be taking steps in the right direction this year.
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The Homestretch
Following the lesser opponents are the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. While they didn’t make the playoffs last year, many expect them to enjoy a bounceback season. After battling two rising playoff contenders, the Raiders travel to Seattle to face a team that resides in the midst of a rebuild. The final six games of the Raiders season feature four playoff teams (including the Super Bowl champions), the Chargers, and the currently overlooked Pittsburgh Steelers. Starting at the Seattle game, the Raiders will alternate home and away games through Week 17 (@ SEA, vs LAC, @ LAR, vs NE, @ PIT, vs SF) before wrapping up the season in a potentially monumental game at home against the Chiefs.
Christmas In Vegas
During the 2022 regular season, the Raiders will not play consecutive home games until the final two weeks of the year and will have two two-game road trips (Weeks 8-9 vs New Orleans and Jacksonville & Weeks 11-12 vs Denver and Seattle). A 3-1 record feels doable during these road trips. This could propel the Raiders into the second half of the season with a healthy amount of momentum.
Uphill Battle
The schedule is not particularly favorable for Las Vegas. However, with their road trip locations being close, a massive time change will not exist. Additionally, the Raiders will not be losing a home game due to a trip to London or Germany. All seventeen of their games will take place in the United States. Despite the layout of the schedule not doing the Raiders many favors, it is not daunting by any means. There are early and late tests, and a less-testing middle, making this season resemble some sort of an Oreo.
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