Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

House has low expectations: Raiders are underdogs in 11 of 17 games, as of now

Week 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Monday, September 13, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Current line: Ravens -4

The Raiders have only faced Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson once previously, back in 2018, when the former MVP shredded them for 249 total yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 Baltimore win.

Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, September 19, 10 a.m., CBS

Current line: Steelers -5

Las Vegas’ rebuilt offensive line will get a challenge against a defense that rated as the league’s best for most of last season, behind a front that includes perennial All-Pros T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.

Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, September 26, 1:05 p.m., CBS

Current line: Dolphins -1

Vengeance will be on the Raiders’ mind after they all but officially killed their playoff hopes last year with a meltdown in the final seconds against the Dolphins, a loss coach Jon Gruden called “embarrassing” and “horrific.”

Week 4: at Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, October 4, 5:15 p.m., ESPN

Current line: Chargers -3.5

Both Raiders vs. Chargers games came down to the last play a season ago, with Las Vegas prevailing on the road when cornerback Isaiah Johnson broke up a pass originally ruled a touchdown in the end zone.

Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, October 10, 1:05 p.m., CBS

Current line: Raiders -2.5

This was a surprise game, the additional contest added to the Raiders’ schedule when the NFL expanded the regular season to a 17-game format.

Week 6: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, October 17, 1:25 p.m., CBS

Current line: Broncos -3.5

Las Vegas swept the season series with Denver for the first time in 10 years last season, but the Broncos look healthier this year and added new starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, October 24, 1:05 p.m. Fox

Current line: Raiders -4

This might be a must-win for the Raiders, considering the Eagles look like the worst team on their schedule as Philly potentially enters a rebuilding period with new coach Nick Sirriani.

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: at New York Giants, Sunday, November 7, 10 a.m., CBS

Current line: Giants -2.5

This will be a reunion with running back Devontae Booker, who was a revelation as a Raiders backup a season ago and used the bounce-back campaign to land a deal with the Giants as a free agent.

Week 10: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, November 14, 5:20 p.m., NBC

Current line: Chiefs -7.5

The Raiders were seconds—and a blown coverage—away from shocking the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium last season and beating the juggernaut for a second time on the season.

Week 11: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, November 21, 1:05 p.m., CBS

Current line: Raiders -4

The Raiders’ young secondary squares off with a Bengals’ young receiving corps that includes Ja’Marr Chase, this year’s No. 6 overall draft pick.

Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, November 25, 1:30 p.m., CBS

Current line: Cowboys -4

Las Vegas will play on Thanksgiving Day for the first time since 2013 and will look to improve on its 3-4 all-time record on the holiday.

Week 13: vs. Washington Football Team, Sunday, December 5, 1:05 p.m., Fox

Current line: Raiders -1.5

Washington was a surprise playoff team a year ago, and many are now expecting the team to return to the postseason behind a defensive line starring Chase Young and Jonathan Allen.

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, December 12, 10 a.m., CBS

Current line: Chiefs -10.5

This long-running rivalry amplified a notch last year when Las Vegas won in Kansas City and the Chiefs later accused the Raiders of doing a “victory lap” around Arrowhead Stadium in their team bus.

Week 15: at Cleveland Browns, Saturday, December 18 or Sunday, December 19, time TBD, TV TBD

Current line: Browns -6.5

On an afternoon that included severe wind gusts, the Raiders upset the Browns 16-6 on the road last year behind 129 rushing yards from Josh Jacobs.

Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos, Sunday, December 26, 1:25 p.m., CBS

Current line: Raiders -1.5

Longtime Raider bully Von Miller, a former Super Bowl MVP and future Hall of Famer, plans to make his Allegiant Stadium debut after missing all of last season with a broken ankle.

Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, January 2, 10 a.m., CBS

Current line: Colts -6

The Raiders and Colts were battling for the AFC’s final playoff spot a year ago, ahead of Indianapolis’ 44-27 win in Las Vegas, and the teams could find themselves in similar positions when they meet this year.

Week 18: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, January 9, 1:25 p.m., CBS

Current line: Raiders -2

Strangely, this will be the first time since 2013 that the Raiders finish off the regular season with a home game.

This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.