NFL schedule release: Predicting Las Vegas Raiders 2021 schedule
Week 10: Home vs. Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team was another surprise playoff team in 2020 as they used a hodgepodge of QBs and a great defense to win the NFC East. They were aided by a terrible division but they still knocked off some good teams thanks to Alex Smith and Chase Young.
Washington has replaced Smith with a familiar Raiders opponent in Ryan Fitzpatrick and they will be a tough out as a well-coached team with difference-makers all over the field.
Week 11: At Denver Broncos
The last two seasons the Raiders have closed out the season with trips to Denver but this year they head to Colorado a bit earlier. The weather is always unpredictable as it could snow in July up there but that has never deterred the Raiders from flying home with a win. Sweeping the Broncos and their rebuilt defense would be a great way to keep the Raiders in the mix for a playoff bid.
Week 12: At Dallas Cowboys
The Raiders and Cowboys face off for the first time since the infamous index card game and this time we hope there are no such shenanigans at AT&T Stadium. This is the famous Cowboys game on Thanksgiving and what better opponent for Dallas to face than another team with a nationwide fanbase?
This is a juicy matchup between two potentially explosive offenses and has the added drama of being the first time Amari Cooper faces his old team since being traded away by Jon Gruden.
Week 13: Home vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Raiders drew the short straw by having to face the AFC North and their three playoff teams with the Ravens coming to town. Baltimore will feel disappointed that their season ended in Buffalo and are one of the favorites in the AFC after reloading on defense and adding some weapons on offense.
Lamar Jackson is must-see TV and we wouldn’t be surprised if this is a prime-time matchup between two opponents with not much history but plenty of dynamic playmakers.
Week 14: At Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders have had to play at Arrowhead in December for just about every year of the past decade and the trend continues in 2021. Last year, sans fans and the famous Arrowhead crowd noise, the Raiders were able to come away with an early-season victory against the Chiefs.
They supposedly took a victory lap around Arrowhead last year and will hope to do the same in 2021 but it might be a bit trickier if there are fans in attendance.