Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 season game-by-game predictions

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Las Vegas strip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the Las Vegas strip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 18
Next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: Defensive end Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: Defensive end Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 season game-by-game predictions

Week 18 – Los Angeles Chargers: Loss

Assuming the Chargers also have something to play for, this could be the marquee matchup of the week. And with the home-field advantage, the Raiders have an excellent chance to come away with the win. If any team is less affected by being on the road, it will be the Chargers.

Despite their 3-5 road record in 2020, 7 of the 8 were one-score games, so they hold their own on the road.

So if it ends up being just a battle of who is the better team, at the moment, I see the Chargers being better in 2021. So with that, I see them coming away with the win.

And with that, the Raiders finish slightly above .500 and that might not be enough to get into the playoffs which would be a big disappointment. When you look at the AFC, there are so many talented teams that the Raiders could be a improved team and still be caught on the outside looking in.

Ten teams have a legit chance at making the playoffs so it is not easy to just pencil the Raiders as a playoff guarantee. Of course this is a very early prediction so an extra win here or there could change everything, but looking at it based on what we know, this is how I see the Raiders’ season turning out.

Final Prediction: 9-8