Early look at the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 schedule against the spread
By Evan Groat
Week 10: Broncos @ Raiders (-2)
It took 10 weeks but the Raiders are finally favored to win a game, and it will be against a division rival that revamped their offense this offseason. Denver won a bunch of games down the stretch with their rookie quarterback last season, and are suddenly one of the teams many expect to surprise people in the AFC.
Second-year quarterback Drew Lock will be the starter from day one in 2020. The Broncos surrounded him with all kinds of talent including the additions of Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, and Melvin Gordon. This one has the makings of a potential shootout.
Week 11: Chiefs (-6.5) @ Raiders
The third of four primetime games, the Chiefs will travel to the desert to take on the Raiders on Sunday Night Football. The Death Star will be rocking in this one, as the Raiders should have gelled on defense by this time, and the younger players should be ready to compete at a high level.
Even at home, oddsmakers still aren’t convinced the Raiders are ready to compete with the Chiefs despite a fixation from coach Jon Gruden on building a roster that models the Chiefs. It is less than a touchdown in the second of two meetings, but this one could still get ugly in a hurry.
Week 12: Raiders @ Falcons (-3)
Things get a little tricky in Week 12 with the front end of back-to-back weeks on the road against east coast teams. The NFL allowed the Raiders to couple up their East coast swing in 2020, and it will start in Atlanta against a Falcons team that really underachieved in 2019.
Dan Quinn was on the hot seat last season but a strong finish helped his cause. What Falcons team will the Raiders see in Week 12 is anybody’s guess. Matt Ryan is getting up there in age, but still has weapons in Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, and running back Todd Gurley was signed in free agency.
Week 13: Raiders @ Jets (-2)
Jon Gruden could opt to stay out East following the Falcons game as he did last season with back-to-back games across the country. The Jets are favoried in this one, and the hope is that the Raiders can have better luck than they did when they headed to MetLife in 2019.
The Raiders were in a similar spot late last season and were blown out in an embarrassing loss to the Jets, 34-3. Playing at MetLife in December could be an issue for Derek Carr, as he has yet to prove he can play well in the elements, and the Jets should be a much-improved team this upcoming season.