Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Analyst Details How NFL Put Raiders at Major Scheduling Disadvantage in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated May 19, 2025 4:54 PM ET

The NFL schedule has not been kind to the Las Vegas Raiders in recent years. Whether the team is facing tough opponents on short weeks, the Chiefs after their bye every year, or the Harbaugh brothers in back-to-back road games to begin the season, the Raiders also get the short end of the stick from the NFL.

However, upon initial review, it seemed like the Silver and Black actually landed a favorable schedule for the 2025 season. Part of that is a lucky draw with the rotating opponents, but another aspect was that the team had no long road stretches or brutal back-to-backs.

However, upon further analysis, the Raiders got royally screwed in 2025 once again. According to Sharp Football Analysis, Las Vegas actually has one of the worst schedules in the league because of their massive rest disadvantage.

The Raiders only play one game all season where they have an edge over their opponent in terms of rest, and all told, they will have 19 days fewer of rest than their opponents this year. For six matchups currently on their schedule, their opponent will get more rest than they will.

Even when the schedule should line up for a Las Vegas rest advantage, the NFL chose not to give it to them. The team will have an 11-day rest between Weeks 10 and 11 because they play on Thursday and Monday during those weeks. However, the Cowboys have a bye in Week 10 before heading to Las Vegas, so even this mini-bye does not grant them an advantage.

Fortunately, the team's strength of schedule is not too brutal and they are massively improved with head coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Geno Smith and running back Ashton Jeanty. However, this does not mean that this disadvantage will not be a steep hill to climb.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: