Breaking down 2025 Raiders schedule

The 2025 schedule seems favorable for the new-look Las Vegas Raiders, but it includes stiff challenges, including a game at the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

According to BetMGM, the Raiders' projected win total is 6.5 games.

Here are thoughts on each game:

Week 1: Sept. 7 at New England Patriots

This is an intriguing matchup pitting former Patriots coach Pete Carroll against Mike Vrabel, who is coaching the team he played for for eight seasons. The Raiders haven't won in Foxborough since 2020.

Week 2: Sept. 15 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Carroll and Jim Harbaugh meet again, this time on Monday night. The game is QB Geno Smith's first home game as a Raider. Against Harbaugh in the NFL, Carroll is 5-4. 

Week 3: Sept. 21 at Washington Commanders

It's a tough road game for the Raiders against reigning NFL Rookie of the Year QB Jayden Daniels. The Raiders have lost four straight to the Commanders. Their last win against Washington came in 2005.

Week 4: Sept. 28 vs. Chicago Bears

This will be the Raiders' first game against Bears QB Caleb Williams, whose team has a new look under new coach Ben Johnson, whom the Raiders were interested in hiring. 

Week 5: Oct. 5 at Indianapolis Colts

Who will be Colts QB1, Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson? Carroll is 7-3 against the Colts.

Week 6: Oct. 12 vs. Tennessee Titans

The Raiders will welcome rookie QB Cam Ward to Allegiant Stadium, but the Silver and Black haven't defeated the Titans at home since 2004. 

 Week 7: Oct. 19 at Kansas City Chiefs

It is always a tough matchup for the Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium, where Smith is 0-1. Could the Raiders sneak up on the Chiefs, who will be a week removed from playing the Detroit Lions?

Week 8: Oct. 26 Bye

Week 9: Nov. 2 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are expected to be slightly better, but this is still a winnable game for the Raiders, who will enter a stretch of back-to-back home games. The Raiders have defeated the Jaguars in four of their past six meetings since 2012, including a win in Week 16 last season.

Week 10: Nov. 6 at Denver Broncos

Will Bo Nix endure a sophomore slump? He led the Broncos to a sweep over the Raiders last season. The Raiders had owned the Broncos before that, winning eight of 10.

Week 11: Nov. 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys

This will be the teams' first meeting on Monday night. The teams have played three prime-time games on Thanksgiving.

Week 12: Nov. 23 vs. Cleveland Browns

Speaking of interesting matchups, will QB Shedeur Sanders be starting for the Browns? The Raiders were one of the many teams that passed on Sanders. The Raiders are on a five-game winning streak against the Browns.

Week 13: Nov. 30 at Los Angeles Chargers

The Raiders haven't won a game at SoFi Stadium since the 2020 season. Will there be more Vegas fans at SoFi than Chargers fans?

Week 14: Dec. 7 vs. Denver Broncos

The schedule sets up nicely for the Raiders, but can they capitalize? They have won eight of their past nine games at home vs. Denver.

Week 15: Dec. 14 at Philadelphia Eagles

A trip to the East Coast, especially to Philadelphia, doesn't bode well for Las Vegas. The Raiders are probably at least a year away from being a playoff team. Carroll is 8-1 against the Eagles.

Week 16: Dec. 21 at Houston Texans

This is another tough one for the Raiders, who face the Texans and QB C.J. Stroud. By this time, the Texans may be a win away from locking up the AFC South title. Carroll is 3-0 against the Texans.

Week 17: TBD vs. New York Giants

This is probably the last viable chance for a win for the Raiders. Carroll is 7-2 against the Giants. 

Week 18: TBD vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are likely headed to the playoffs, but will they need a win against the Raiders to clinch home-field advantage? The Raiders haven't won at home win against K.C. since 2017.