Predicting the wins and losses on the Las Vegas Raiders 2024 schedule.
The Las Vegas Raiders are in an odd position heading into the 2024 season, where it seems like anything can happen – and their schedule reflects that. The Raiders could end up being near the bottom end of the league and with a top 5 pick, or pushing for the playoffs. Or, as they seem to have done for the past five years, be somewhere in between. That makes predicting the Raiders’ 2024 schedule challenging, yet exciting.
Week 1: Raiders at Chargers
To start the schedule, the Raiders will make the short trip across the state border to Los Angeles. Formerly their home, many Raider fans still live in LA. So despite it being an away game on paper, SoFi Stadium is usually a wave of Silver and Black.
It will be Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL, following a National Championship win with the Michigan Wolverines. A close friend of Raiders owner Mark Davis, it was rumored that Harbaugh could have become the Raiders head coach. Antonio Pierce will have to prove that he was the right choice.
Raiders Win: 17-13
Week 2: Raiders at Ravens
Next up is Baltimore, where the Raiders play the other Harbaugh, Jim’s brother John.
Reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson has a new running mate in the backfield, Derrick ‘King’ Henry. On top of this fearsome two-headed monster, Baltimore also has the reigning No. 1 ranked defense.
Justin Madubuike, Kyle Hamilton, and Roquan Smith are all superstars, and undoubtedly top 5 at their positions. The Raiders will have to be at their best to put up a competitive points total. This game will be an invaluable learning experience for this young team:
Ravens Win: 24-1o
Week 3: Raiders vs Panthers
In their home opener, the Raiders play last year’s worst team in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers. Led by former first overall pick Bryce Young, the Alabama prospect will want to prove the doubters wrong in his sophomore season.
Having invested a lot into their offensive line throughout the offseason, it is important for the Raiders coverage to be sticky, as getting to Young could prove tricky. However, the Raider simply have too much star power for the youthful Panthers.
Raiders Win: 27-13
Week 4: Raiders vs Browns
Staying in Vegas for Week 4, Deshaun Watson‘s Cleveland Browns come to town. Reigning Head Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski has proven to be an elite coach. Last year’s excellent campaign had his team make their way into the postseason despite having Joe Flacco under center.
The defense also stepped up for Cleveland. DPOY Myles Garrett terrorized opposing linemen, while Denzel Ward dominated as well. With Nick Chubb also coming back from injury, the Browns likely have the edge.
Browns Win: 17-14
Week 5: Raiders at Broncos
The Raiders have won eight straight games against their division rival; and with both teams having question marks at quarterback, this could be a fun game.
Sean Payton, a former Super Bowl winner is the Broncos head coach. With his cherry-picked QB, Bo Nix raring to go, there aren’t many places to hide for the experienced coach should another bad season follow suit. However, it’s hard to see the Broncos snapping their losing streak.
Raiders Win: 24-13
Week 6: Raiders vs Steelers
This game features two hard-nosed, hand in the dirt teams who want to beat you up. This game presents yet another AFC North team with a debatably top 5 defense in the league. However, this team has question marks all over their offense. It seems Russell Wilson will begin the season as the starter, but by Week 6, who knows if it won’t be Justin Fields?
Raiders Win: 13-7
Week 7: Raiders at Rams
Back in Los Angeles, the Raiders will look to make SoFi stadium their own once more – this time against the Rams. However, memories of their Super Bowl win a couple of seasons ago will live long in the minds of those around the team. The two men who made it possible, QB Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay, are still with the team. That makes this a dangerous matchup.
On top of that, the Rams made two big hits in the later rounds of the 2023 draft. Fifth-round rookie sensation WR Puka Nacua set records in his first season in the league. Meanwhile, third-round pick DT Kobie Turner looks like he could be a force as well. This doesn’t even include mentioning former Triple Crown winner, Cooper Kupp. It’s hard to imagine that the Raiders can squeak out a victory against the Rams here.
Rams Win: 27-10
Week 8: Raiders vs Chiefs
The last time the Raiders played the Chiefs it was Christmas Day. It was also where Antonio Pierce earned his job. Two defensive touchdowns on back-to-back drives for the Raiders meant Christmas was ruined for the Chiefs faithful; though that would be the last time the eventual Super Bowl winners would lose on their way to the big game.
The loss of L’Jarius Sneed cannot be understated, with the superstar cornerback taking his talents to the Tennessee Titans in the offseason. They do have a replacement in the wings however, with Trent McDuffie, who broke out for the Chiefs last year. Despite the Raiders getting the better of the Chiefs last season, it’s unlikely it happens in Week 8.
Chiefs Win: 31-21
Week 9: Raiders at Bengals
This game could not really be at a worse place on the schedule for the Raiders. It is far enough into the season that superstar QB Joe Burrow will have gotten back into a rhythm after missing the back part of last year due to an unfortunate injury.
We have seen how deadly this offense can be when fully healthy. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase make up one of the most potent WR rooms in the NFL. On top off this, they re-added crucial safety Vonn Bell back into their secondary after a spell in Carolina. This game will be tough for the Raiders to come out on top.
Bengals Win: 24-14
Week 11: Raiders at Dolphins
Heading down to Florida off the bye, the Raiders will have to be ready when they play the fastest team in the league. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane are the fastest three-headed weapon in the NFL. Everybody knows how big of a threat the pair of WR’s are. However, Achane is less of a recognizable name.
The sophomore back was on fire last year before his injury, averaging 7.8 yards per carry and hitting 200 yards against the Broncos. It’s difficult to see how the Raiders can put a stop to Miami’s offense.
Dolphins Win: 27-14
Week 12: Raiders vs Broncos
With the streak now at nine in a row, will it cross double digits? At this point in the season, the Broncos could be in a position where they are looking backwards instead of forwards. The Raiders, however, will be desperate to extend their streak.
Raiders Win: 35-10
Week 13: Raiders at Chiefs
The Raiders struggle in the cold, and when these two meet on the schedule on November 29, it is going to start getting chilly. With Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce continuing their domination, it sems foolish to pick against the Super Bowl Champions.
Chiefs Win: 31-17
Week 14: Raiders at Buccaneers
The Buccaneers seem to have found their QB in Baker Mayfield. They signed him to a three-year deal this offseason, which could be worth up to $115 million dollars. Mayfield has his fair share of weapons as well, with future Hall of Famer Mike Evans looking to complete his 11th-straight season with 1,000 yards. Chris Godwin is a shifty WR2 as well, who has eclipsed 1,000 yards in his last three seasons.
On defense, their star is safety Antoine Winfield Jr, who is debatably the best safety in football after a dominant 2023 season. However, it’s possible that the Raiders will be the scrappier of the two sides, winning an extremely close game.
Raiders Win: 21-20
Week 15: Raiders vs Falcons
The Falcons shocked the world when they selected QB Michael Penix Jr in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. It’s not because Penix is a bad player, but because they signed Kirk Cousins nearly a month prior to a long term deal. It is likely that the Raiders will face Cousins, but who knows how the season plays out.
On defense the Falcons have two key players, both in the secondary. Safety Jessie Bates has maintained his excellent standards following his move from Cincinnati. At CB, AJ Terrell has quietly developed into one of the premier man-corners in the league. The Raiders would be wise to not test these two all that often, so the run game will play a key part.
Raiders Win: 24-21
Week 16: Raiders at Jaguars
After paying Trevor Lawrence superstar money in the offseason, the Jaguars are expecting big things from ‘The Prince’. The Jaguars replaced Calvin Ridley with Gabe Davis in free agency, and drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in the the first round in 2024.
On defense, the Jaguars added Arik Armstead to a line that already includes Josh Hines-Allen, who tallied 17.5 sacks last year. The Raider and Jaguars as two very similar teams, with good weapons on offence, and a pair of stars on the defensive line. However, the key difference is the Jaguars have a franchise QB.
Jaguars Win: 27-24
Week 17: Raiders at Saints
The Derek Carr revenge game finds its way on the Raiders schedule. Worst of all, it is in his new home, New Orleans. The Raiders will be coming to town to face their former franchise QB for the first time since he was cut in 2023. To this day, Carr remains one of the most divisive players in franchise history. It will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets from the travelling fans.
Raiders Win: 24-21
Week 18: Raiders vs Chargers
In a game that could be playoffs or bust for both squads, can the Chargers get revenge? With essentially a full season under his belt back in the NFL, Harbaugh will have his Chargers ready and raring to go, building momentum at exactly the right time.
Chargers Win: 24-17
Final Record Prediction: 8-9
Another season of mediocrity for the Raiders. However, it should be a fun season for fans, with a lot of games that could end up going either way.
This will be a season for the Raiders to grow under new Pierce, with the view of really pushing the year after that. Neither Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’ Connell are particularly inspiring options at QB. And while they could sneak into the playoffs, there’s little chance of this team being a contender in 2024.
