Last year, I took a stab in the dark at the Raiders schedule, and ya know what? I wasn’t bad at it. I actually got the Raider record right! I missed on a few games, but I predicted a 7-9 record and that’s what they did! Let’s see how I feel about 2020.
The 2020 Las Vegas Raiders Schedule Preview
Week One: @ Carolina Panthers
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
That’s right, Raider Nation! I’m picking the Las Vegas Raiders to win their first ever game! Even though they’re on the east coast, and they’re facing off against the electric Christian McCaffrey, I’m optimistic about the Silver and Black’s chances.
The Raiders cashed in on linebackers this off-season, and Jonathan Abram should finally return from injury. Hypothetically, they’re better suited to cover him, meanwhile the Raider offense have no excuses this year.
Confidence in Pick: 60%
Week Two: vs New Orleans Saints
Predicted Winner: New Orleans Saints
I know, I know, I shouldn’t pick against the Raiders in their home opener, but the New Orleans Saints are legitimate contenders in 2020. The Raider defense has a lot of potential, but potential is useless until it becomes production. I don’t know that they have what it takes to slow Drew Brees and company down.
Confidence in Pick: 70%
Week Three: @ New England Patriots
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
How weird is this? I think the Raiders, traveling to New England, should be the favorites. When was the last time that was true? (Don’t answer that, Charles Woodson isn’t over it, and neither am I).
Confidence in Pick: 65%
Week Four: vs Buffalo Bills
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
Right, so, I’m not a big fan of the Buffalo Bills. I don’t believe in Josh Allen, or the rest of Buffalo’s offense. I like Sean McDermott, I like the defense, and I bet the Buffalo Bills take the AFC East this season. But I also think that’s mostly thanks to a very weak schedule. They’ve inherited New England’s one way ticket to the post-season. I think the Raiders actually have a more well-rounded roster.
Confidence in Pick: 45%
Week Five: @ Kansas City Chiefs
Predicted Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
I’m stoked that the Raiders don’t have to go to Arrowhead in the dead of winter, but I’m still not optimistic. The Chiefs are the reigning, defending, undisputed Super Bowl Champions, and boast one of the fastest, most explosive teams in the league. Derek Carr hasn’t won in Arrowhead yet, and I wouldn’t bet on it happening in 2020.
Confidence in Pick: 80%
Week Six: Bye Week
Week Seven: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Predicted Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Unless the Buccaneers are a “Philadelphia Eagles Dream Team” botched contender, they’re not going to struggle with the Las Vegas Raiders. They have entirely too much talent on offense and a lot of young, underrated talent on defense. I’d love for the Raiders to beat Brady in their last game (Haha, unless…) against him, but I’m not optimistic.
Confidence in Pick: 75%
Week Eight: @ Cleveland Browns
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
I’m kinda worried about this pick. The Cleveland Browns could absolutely shock the world this year. Maybe the hype machine arrived in Cleveland a year early, and this is the year they make the leap. As someone that always kinda pulls for the Browns, I hope so, but I’ve seen them collapse under expectations enough that I wouldn’t bet on them.
Confidence in Pick: 50%
Week Nine: @ Los Angeles Chargers
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
Bless the Raiders ninth home game. I don’t think the Chargers are going to be a threat this season. They have a talented roster, but they’re missing experienced pieces where it matters. I bet the Raiders have no problem winning in their Hollywood beach home.
Confidence in Pick: 75%
Week 10: vs Denver Broncos
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
The Denver Broncos could be dangerous this year. They have a lot of young talent on offense, and if it comes together, they could present a real problem for the Silver and Black. Winning in Las Vegas feels safer than winning in Denver.
Confidence in Pick: 55%
Week 11: vs Kansas City Chiefs
Predicted Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Sorry Raider Nation, I’m just not optimistic about the Raiders beating Kansas City this year. But if Dak Prescott is set to break the bank, think about what Patrick Mahomes will get. That’ll hurt the Chiefs in the long run, hopefully the Raiders are ready to strike then.
Confidence in Pick: 80%
Week 12: @ Atlanta Falcons
Predicted Winner: Atlanta Falcons
This is a tough one. The Raiders have to travel to Atlanta, and face off against a lethal offense. This is arguably a bigger test than either game against Kansas City. The duo of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley will test the team’s young secondary.
Confidence in Pick: 65%
Week 13: @ New York Jets
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
You wanna bet the Raiders are going to remember their last trip to Metlife Stadium? They better, because I was there, and it was not fun. It was cold and wet, and after Carr threw Hunter Renfrow into traffic, the offense took a nap. They better be fired up and blow Sam Darnold’s Jets out.
Confidence in Pick: 80%
Week 14: vs Indianapolis Colts
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
I love that Philip Rivers and Erik Harris get together again. After Rivers almost singlehandedly fed the Raiders two wins last year, he comes to visit his buddy one last time. How big of an improvement do the Colts think Philip Rivers is over Jacoby Brissett?
Confidence in Pick: 80%
Week 15: vs Los Angeles Chargers
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
I just don’t think the Chargers are very good. They’re the worst team in the AFC West, and they’re hoping that Justin Herbert comes in and saves the franchise. How much better do they really think Herbert is from decrepit Rivers?
Confidence in Pick: 70%
Week 16: vs Miami Dolphins
Predicted Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
The Miami Dolphins were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, and while they have a lot of young pieces, none of them are proven. Unless they make a huge leap in 2020, I think the Raiders can pull this one off.
Confidence in Pick: 65%
Week 17: @ Denver Broncos
Predicted Winner: Denver Broncos
I hope I’m wrong here, but the Denver Broncos have a lot of young talent, and I don’t love the idea of the Raiders having to travel to Mile High in the dead of winter to face off against them. They pulled off the win last year, with some help from the refs, but they added a ton of pieces this off-season.
Confidence in Pick: 50%
So, I’ve got the Raiders going 10-6! They’re probably a playoff team with double-digit wins. That’s very exciting, but again, this is a stab in the dark. I was wrong about four of the games last year, and a couple of those losses were ugly. Here’s hoping.
Narcissistic Penguin 