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Las Vegas Raiders' 2025 schedule provides them with the perfect opportunity to play spoiler

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated May 15, 2025 3:47 AM ET

The 2025 season is supposed to be completely different than the 2024 season was for the Las Vegas Raiders. That team finished with just four wins, and with Pete Carroll at the helm now, there's just no way that happens.

No, I'm not saying they will win the Super Bowl, or even a playoff game, but I am saying that they will be better. It's kind of hard to be worse than what they were last season. And, not to mention, Carroll and new general manager John Spytek have mentioned a few times that they are trying to win now.

That doesn't mean compete for championships now, but be a competing team, win football games, and get better. They know this will be a process, but they also know this team is much better than a four-win team. This team will likely be a team that fights for a wildcard spot; even if they don't get one, they will be in the running towards the end of the season.

And that's an improvement, which is good. It's all about continual improvement and working your way up to becoming a playoff team and a team that contends. But for now, for this season, they could play a special role.

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With the way this schedule is set up, as it was just released on Wednesday, May 14, the Raiders have the opportunity to play spoiler to some really good teams. And, why not be the team that kicks other teams out of the playoffs, especially if you don't make the playoffs.

There is a four-week stretch to end the season, and even the last game against the Kansas City Chiefs, that will allow them to have a chance at beating these teams, possibly keeping them out of the playoffs, depending on how the season goes.

They play the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans before finishing the season against the New York Giants and Chiefs. Five of those games, if they win, could help keep them out of the playoffs.

Sure, some of you may be saying that won't happen with the Eagles, but you truly don't know how good the Eagles will be the year after they win a Super Bowl. We have seen some pretty big fall-offs before.

Either way, that would be a fun position and role to play in the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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