Can’t wait for the 2023 NFL season to begin? Satisfy the football itch by guessing the outcome of the Las Vegas Raiders’ first eight games.
Here’s what we think.
1. Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Mile High Stadium
The Las Vegas Raiders 2023 campaign will start against the Denver Broncos in an away game. While the Broncos might have added a few new weapons in the offseason, expect Las Vegas to keep it competitive. The Raiders won both games against the Broncos last year and can easily do so again.
The key question is whether Jimmy Garoppolo will succeed where Derek Carr failed. Can Grappollo be effective in the red zone? That’s going to be important in this game, and it’s what screwed the Raiders over throughout The Derek Carr era.
2. Buffalo Bills vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Bills Stadium
This will be a tough game for the Las Vegas Raiders to win, no matter what. The Bills have been a playoff team for years and are known for their fire-power offense. They are also known for their defense, which dominated several teams.
Expect Jimmy Garoppollo to get his first taste of struggle here with the Raiders. This will be one of those watershed moments where we see what this new-look team is made of. Now, they probably won’t win this game, especially with Josh Allen as Quarterback, but coming close could be a moral victory.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium
It’s hard to imagine the Las Vegas Raiders losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. This is where guys like Max Crosby and Tyree Wilson will be key in stopping Kenny Plunkett or Mitch Trubisky from finding his guys. Hopefully, The Raiders’ defense is finally able to hold up. If you look at a handful of last year’s games, including their 13-10 loss to the Steelers, it almost always came down to a mistake by the defense. If the Raiders can fix that here, they could easily win by double digits and send Pittsburgh packing.
Related: What Las Vegas Raiders rookie will have the biggest impact in 2023
4. Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Sofi Stadium
The Raiders versus the Chargers is a tough contest to call for several reasons. In almost every game the Raiders had last season, you notice three things:
1. Derek Carr struggled to move the ball.
2. The defense either being strong early or blowing the game in the fourth quarter.
3. Josh McDaniels getting outcoached by his opponents.
If McDaniels wants to keep his job with the Raiders, he needs to fix this.
5. Green Bay Packers vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium
The Green Bay Packers game is another one of those hard-to-decipher matchups. The Packers are now without Aaron Rodgers and are investing in rookie Jordan Love. While some might want to overlook Love and see this as an easy win, a first-time coach beat the Raiders last year.
Unfortunately, fans need to consider the reality that the team is sometimes unprepared. They risk getting outsmarted or simply outplayed by the Packers. This one will be a wild card, and the Raiders will have to pull off something big to win it.
6. New England Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium
Remember last year when the Raiders beat the Patriots after a shoveled pass gave them a last-minute touchdown? This is going to be the rematch, and what makes it more interesting are all the former Patriots players that Josh McDaniels has poached over the offseason.
This includes Jimmy Garoppollo, Brian Hoyer, Jakobi Meyers, Philip Dorsett, and Adam Butler.
7. Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field
There are no easy wins in the NFL, but this seems like one of the Raiders’ easier speed bumps on the schedule. The Chicago Bearwillto put up a good fight, but the Raiders should be better conditioned this year. Furthermore, the Raiders’ defense will be more aggressive, making Justin Field’s job much more difficult.
As for the offense, it’s just hard to imagine the Bears being able to stomp out the ground game with Jacobs or the versatility of Grappollo. Those two things will deliver a one-two punch that the Bears can’t contain. Call this writer crazy, but maybe the Raiders can start the season 5-2.
8. Detroit Lions vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field
The season’s wear and tear will set in for the Raiders sooner or later, and this could be one of those times. The Lions will be at home, and the Raiders aren’t a perfect team. Las Vegas is probably going to lose this one
Final Thoughts
While the Raiders have one of the hardest schedules in the league this season, there shouldn’t be too many struggles in the first stretch. Maybe this is just looking through rose-colored glasses, but the defense has taken steps and upgraded positions to improve. As long as they learn to put four quarters of football together, they’re going to win a good share of these games.
Next: TV guide for Las Vegas sports fans
