Though the Raiders have an improved team, with the addition of star wide receiver Antonio Brown, they face the hardest schedule in the NFL. Here’s what the full season schedule looks like (all times Central Time):
- Week 1 – Monday, Sept. 9 – Broncos @ Raiders* – 9:20 p.m.
- Week 2- Sunday, Sept. 15 – Chiefs @ Raiders – 3:05 p.m.
- Week 3 – Sunday, Sept. 22 – Raiders @ Vikings – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 4 – Sunday, Sept. 29 – Raiders @ Colts – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 5 – Sunday, Oct. 6 – Bears @ Raiders (London) – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 6 – BYE WEEK
- Week 7 – Sunday, Oct. 20 – Raiders @ Packers – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 8 – Sunday, Oct. 27 – Raiders @ Texans – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 9 – Sunday, Nov. 3 – Lions @ Raiders – 3:05 p.m.
- Week 10 – Thursday, Nov. 7 – Chargers @ Raiders*** – 7:20 p.m.
- Week 11 – Sunday, Nov. 17 – Bengals @ Raiders – 3:25 p.m.
- Week 12 -Sunday, Nov. 24 – Raiders @ Jets – 12:00 p.m.
- Week 13 – Sunday, Dec. 1 – Raiders @ Chiefs 12:00 p.m.
- Week 14 – Sunday, Dec. 8 – Titans @ Raiders – 3:25 p.m.
- Week 15 – Sunday, Dec. 15 – Jaguars @ Raiders – 3:05 p.m.
- Week 16 – Sunday/Saturday, Dec 21/22 – Raiders @ Chargers – TBD
- Week 17 – Sunday, Dec. 29 – Raiders @ Broncos – 3:25 p.m.
- * = Monday Night Football ** = Sunday Night Football
*** = Thursday Night Football
Despite the improvements the Raiders have made, it will be hard to improve on last year’s disastrous 4-12 season. They will have an very challenging time winning games with their schedule.
Some of the Raiders’ notable games are their primetime matchups against the Broncos and Chargers. Division games are always entertaining, especially when it’s on primetime television. The Raiders will likely be fighting with the Broncos for third place in the AFC West, and could set the tone early in Week 1. They could also shake the standings up between the Chiefs and Chargers later in the season, as they play the Chargers in Week 10 under the lights and then the Chiefs in Week 13.
Despite the improvements, my prediction is that the Raiders finish 5-11, with wins against the Broncos, Vikings, Bengals, Titans, and Jaguars.