The first third of the 2026 NFL season has been quite the dichotomy for the Las Vegas Raiders. Klint Kubiak's team stormed out of the gates to a 3-0 start, but they've stumbled in each of their last three contests, evening up their record before a critical Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
This team has proven that it can hang with the powers that be in the league, as they lost to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC's top two seeds, by a combined six points. But they've only beaten three teams that have a combined two wins, and they lost to the New England Patriots 45-17.
Las Vegas still has plenty to prove.
And as they look to right the ship, this next three-game stretch will be critical. Over the next few weeks, they'll go on the road twice, once to each coast, face the league's preseason Super Bowl favorite, the current Super Bowl favorite, and... Geno Smith. Let's predict how these three will go.
Predicting Las Vegas Raiders' next 3 games amid 3-game losing streak
Week 7 - Raiders vs. Rams
Look, the Rams are the preseason Super Bowl favorites, and not the current ones, for a reason. Not only have they dealt with injuries both this week and all year, but Matthew Stafford has been a shell of himself, the whole team looks disjointed, and their special teams are atrocious, to boot.
Given the fact that the Raiders have largely played well at home this season and that Los Angeles is short-staffed, I really think that Las Vegas can pull this one out. Of course, we said this in Week 5 before they got slaughtered by the Patriots, but Kubiak and the team have to have grown since then.
Prediction: Raiders win 25-22
Record: 4-3
Week 8 - Raiders @ Jets
Losing to Geno Smith simply can't happen. I refuse to acknowledge that as an option after watching him play quarterback for this team last year.
Surprisingly, the Jets are a pretty solid team despite their 2-4 record, but they just can't close out games or put it all together. But they have a lot of nice pieces, and they'll be hosting a Raiders team that laid an egg the last time they traveled to the East Coast and played in an early kickoff game.
But Geno has a talent for giving the game away, and for as solid as New York's roster is, Las Vegas has a better one. And a better coach. Because of this contest's circumstances, with a big road trip for the Silver and Black playing a large role, this game may be close. But the Raiders should come out on top.
Prediction: Raiders win 34-27
Record: 5-3
Week 9 - Raiders @ 49ers
San Francisco is the only 6-0 team in the NFL, and it is the current Super Bowl favorite for a reason. The 49ers have fended through a tough schedule to remain undefeated, and they have laid the wood to some good teams along the way. And I fear that Las Vegas is just another obstacle in their path.
Never say never, but this is about as confident as I'll be in a Raiders loss until further notice. Kyle Shanahan's team is firing on all cylinders right now, and they are more talented, experienced and cohesive. Kubiak knows the Shanahan system well, though, so he'll have his team in this one.
Prediction: 49ers win 31-20
Record: 5-4
If the Silver and Black are 5-4 ahead of the trade deadline, then they could easily be buyers, as a playoff berth would be nowhere close to out of reach.
Add us as a preferred source on Google