Over the last few seasons, we have seen the Las Vegas Raiders either fail at making the playoffs or fail at getting the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. They are consistently bad, but not bad enough to get a top pick.
This year, now that we have seen their schedule, there is a legit show the Raiders could make the postseason. Now, a lot of things have to go the right way for that to happen, but there is a way it happens. You could not have said the same thing last season, as Las Vegas was one of the worst teams in the league.
With the way the schedule is looking, getting above .500 on the season shouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities, which is a great thing considering they just won four games last season. So, let's see how they do it.
Raiders' schedule with game-by-game predictions
Week 1: Raiders at New England Patriots
I fully expect the Patriots to still be a bad team in 2025, but not as bad as before. They have added some nice pieces, but I'm not sure it will all show until further into the season. Because of the improved offense, the defense still standing strong, the Raiders start the 2025 season 1-0.
Raiders record (1-0)
Week 2: Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
For the Raiders' first AFC West game of the year, and the first primetime game of the year, being against a formidable opponent like the Chargers, I could see the Raiders losing. The Chargers will have a pretty decent defense, but an offense that should be able to operate however they want; it's just about the receivers at this point.
Raiders record (1-1)
Week 3: Raiders at Washington Commanders
The Commanders finished last year as one of the best teams in the entire NFL with an NFC Championship game appearance against the Eagles. They should pick right back up where they left off, being one of the best in the league. The Raiders aren't quite ready to beat teams like that yet, but they will compete.
Raiders record (1-2)
Week 4: Raiders vs. Chicago Bears
The Raiders are set to go against a Bears team that has a brand new offensive line, more weapons, and year two of Caleb Williams. Under Ben Johnson, I think this team is very good. I think they beat the Raiders.
Raiders record (1-3)
Week 5: Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
We are not entirely sure who their quarterback will even be. And, as Raiders fans all know from last year, when you have a situation like that, it's never good. This is a Raiders win and a blowout at that. I'm not sure Indy will be very good at all.
Raiders record (2-3)
Week 6: Raiders at Tennessee Titans
This is another team that shouldn't be very good. They picked No. 1 overall for a reason, and the team they have around Cam Ward just isn't great outside of a few names here and there. It's a Raiders win on the road to start a very long road streak.
Raiders record (3-3)
Week 7: Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders should be 2-0 in their last two games against the Chiefs in Kansas City. With a much better team, a coach who actually knows how to manage a game, and a quarterback who will complete a pass after the first quarter, the Raiders win this.
Raiders record (4-3)
Week 8: BYE WEEK
Week 9: Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
I'm not entirely sure the Jaguars are ready to be a good team yet either. They will have some moments, but ultimately will struggle to protect Trevor Lawrence, and the experience or lack thereof of the coaching staff will show through. Raiders win.
Raiders record (5-3)
Week 10: Raiders at Denver Broncos
There is a very good chance that we are talking about the Broncos as the team that fights for the AFC West division title or locks down the wild card. They have one of the best defenses in the league, and should handle Las Vegas at home.
Raiders record (5-4)
Week 11: Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys
I think the Cowboys will once again be a bad team, even with Dak Prescott playing this year. They just don't have anything that should scare anyone outside of Ceedee Lamb and Micah Parsons. At home, the Raiders win this.
Raiders record (6-4)
Week 12: Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns may very well be in contention for that no. 1 pick next year. This is a win for the Raiders, easily.
Raiders record (7-4)
Week 13: Raiders at Chargers
The Raiders are at home in this one, even though it says at Chargers. We all know their fans show up more than Chargers fans do. But this is a loss for the Raiders. The Chargers are just the better team at this current time, but not by much. This was one of the hardest games to predict.
Raiders record (7-5)
Week 14: Raiders vs. Broncos
I think the Broncos sweep the season series in 2025. That defense is too good, and the offense will certainly have some moments that the Raiders won't be able to handle with Nix and their new run game that they did not have last year.
Raiders record (7-6)
Week 15: Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles
This is the defending Super Bowl Champions we are talking about here. There is no way the Raiders win this game, which is okay, because they are just not there yet. The Eagles are too good.
Raiders record (7-7)
Week 16: Raiders at Houston Texans
The Texans are one of those teams that I think could really get hot at the end of the season because they will be fighting for the AFC South division title and maybe even trying to see if they could get a good seed. They will be too good on both sides of the ball for the Raiders.
Raiders record (7-8)
Week 17: Raiders vs. New York Giants
The Giants will also be in contention for the No. 1 pick in the draft in 2026. This should be a fairly easy win for the Raiders, helping them in the standings at the end of the year if they were to be close to a wildcard spot.
Raiders record (8-8)
Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders will sweep the season series against the Chiefs, not because they will be bad in 2025, but because by Week 18, the Chiefs will have the No. 1 or No. 2 seed locked up, and they will rest their players for the playoffs. The Raiders will cruise to a win and finish above .500.
