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Five observations of the Raiders 2017 schedule

By Evan Groat

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) during the first half at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) during the first half at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) is defended by Buffalo Bills cornerback Kevon Seymour (29) on a 37-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter during a NFL football game at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) is defended by Buffalo Bills cornerback Kevon Seymour (29) on a 37-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter during a NFL football game at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Back to back weeks on the east coast

Another similarity to the 2016 schedule is that in Week 8 and Week 9, the Raiders will again have to travel to the east coast in back to back weeks. And just like last year, Jack Del Rio has decided that the team will be spending an extra week in Florida rather than traveling back and forth to/from California.

The 2017 itinerary will be slightly different, however, as in Week 8, there will be a stop in Buffalo to take on the Bills. Buffalo had Oakland dead to rights last season, leading 24 to 9 midway through the third quarter before an offensive explosion saw the Raiders post 29 unanswered points, winning the game 38 to 24.

New Era Field in Buffalo is not an easy place to win a game — the fans are passionate and the stadium will be loud. The game is being played in late October, so weather should not be a major factor, but then again, this is Buffalo we’re talking about.

Immediately following the game, the Raiders will fly south to IMG Academy where they will spend the week preparing for the Miami Dolphins. It’s not crazy to think that the Raiders could be anywhere from 6-2 to a perfect 8-0 heading into this game.

The Dolphins were a playoff team in 2016, and Adam Gase definitely has this team trending in the right direction. Imagine this scenario: The Raiders win this game to get to 9-0, setting up a Week 11 showdown in Mexico City vs. the New England Patriots.

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