Raiders 2026 Schedule Release: Predicting every game Las Vegas will play in its first season under Klint Kubiak
The Las Vegas Raiders have a schedule with some tough parts and some easier parts. How will they do in 2026?
The Las Vegas Raiders are finally committing to a real rebuild. In the past, they repeated mistakes, signing ineffective players and botching recent coaching hires.
This year marks a pivotal shift. The Raiders must avoid a schedule that compounds challenges already expected from a rookie head coach and quarterback. On Thursday, the organization unveiled its schedule, along with the rest of the NFL.
The Raiders face a tough schedule. Whether it’s the obstacle or the cure depends on perspective. The team will encounter moments of advantage and serious tests.
Raiders’ 2026 NFL Schedule
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
Starting the season with this game could be brutal for the watching experience. The Raiders are going to figure out who they are while also gelling. It could look ugly. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to be a bad football team. However, this is perfect for getting the Raiders started on the right track. This is a rebuild, but they want to win as many games as possible right away. This could give them their first win, and I think it will. Raiders 17, Miami 10
Week 2: at Los Angeles Chargers
The Raiders are technically going back-to-back home games to start the year, as they have more fans there than the Chargers do anytime they play in Los Angeles. That could play into the Raiders’ hands wonderfully. I’m going to say the Raiders are still rusty going into Week 2, though. They are still trying to figure themselves out against a team that is pretty much the same as last year. Chargers 24, Raiders 21
Week 3: at New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints showed a ton of promise at the end of last season. They have a very good young QB to take over and lead them through this new era. However, outside of him and the weapons they have around him, this team is still very unready to compete anytime soon. The Raiders are going into a hostile environment, but I think they get the win. Raiders 27, Saints 24
Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Las Vegas Raiders will likely play Patrick Mahomes when they take on the Chiefs in Week 4. The NFL gave the Chiefs back-to-back primetime games to start the year, so they must think Mahomes is playing. The Chiefs are an improved team, and with Mahomes likely healthy, I think Kansas City wins this game. Not to mention, this could be a game rookie Fernando Mendoza is playing. Chiefs, 23, Raiders 21
Week 5: at New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are looking to get their season going after losing the Super Bowl. However, there is a lot of distraction on this team, and some roster issues that aren’t being discussed as much as you might think. Vegas beat the Patriots last year, and they do it again. Raiders 19, Patriots 17
Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills should still be one of the NFL’s best teams in 2026, despite a down year last season and the firing of their head coach. In fact, they could be better in 2026. This game is at home, but the Bills may still win. Bills 30, Raiders 24
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are expected to be a team that fights for the Super Bowl in 2026. They may be the outright favorites. Matthew Stafford is still looking elite after being the MVP last year, and the Raiders’ young secondary will have to face him and that elite WR corps. Give this one to the Rams. Rams 26, Raiders 17
Week 8: @ New York Jets
The New York Jets could be the worst team in the league. I think this game, a revenge game for the Raiders and Geno Smith, will be all in the Raiders’ favor in every aspect of the game plan. This is an easy win. Raiders 34, Jets 21
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
This is the first time the Raiders have been back in the Bay Area since leaving Oakland. In a way, this is an extra home game, because you better believe the Bay Area Raiders fans will show up and show out. However, the 49ers could be a pretty good team this season if they’re healthy, considering they weren’t healthy last year and still managed to be good. 49ers 24, Raiders 21
Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions. They are very good, but they are not the same team they were last year. I actually think the Raiders can pull this win out. The Seahawks are going to struggle to run the ball. Without Kubiak, who knows how good they will be? Raiders win this one. Raiders 21, Seahawks 17.
Week 11: at Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have struggled the last few years to start games hot against the Raiders, and the Raiders have usually been the worst team between the two. I think the Raiders win this game and split the series, even though it’s on the road. Raiders 23, Broncos 21
Week 12: at Cleveland Browns
This is that one weird game that the Raiders will find a way to lose. It will probably feature terrible weather, and the Raiders should have won this game because Cleveland is that bad. But they will lose it because this happens to every single team, every single year. Browns 14, Raiders 10.
Week 13: BYE WEEK
Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Later in the year, the Chargers have been known to choke and fall apart. This time will be the same. I think the Raiders will get the win at home because of the durability the Chargers just never seem to have. Not to mention, this could be the start of a few games the Raiders can win. Raiders 21, Chargers 17
Week 15: vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos should have Bo Nix by the time this game comes up on the schedule. The Broncos won a lot of one-score games last year and had a lot of luck go their way. But good teams find a way to win games. The Broncos may have the NFL’s top-three defense next year. The Raiders may just be outdone in this one, where it’s a defensive game. Broncos 17, Raiders 13
Week 16: vs. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are supposed to be a bad team in 2026. However, are we sure they won’t be a .500 team that’s fighting for the division lead? This could be a game that has huge implications for the postseason. That being said, the Raiders will win this game. Raiders 34, Titans 23
Week 17: at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals could also be in that conversation for the worst team in football. They don’t really have their quarterback yet, and they spent their No. 1 pick on a running back when they don’t have any of the pieces around him. This team could be very bad, on purpose. At this point of the year, they could be close to that No. 1 pick and actually tank. Raiders 38, Cardinals 14
Week 18: at Kansas City Chiefs
Raiders and the Chiefs could be battling in this game with their full starters. Why? Well, the Chiefs could be in a battle for the playoffs, and who knows, maybe the Raiders are, too. But the Chiefs will likely win this one at home. Chiefs 34, Raiders 21
Final Record Prediction: 9-8