With the release of the Las Vegas Raiders' schedule, we're taking a look at the most difficult games the team will play over the course of the 2024 campaign.
The Raiders have a tough slate overall, as evidenced by their strength of schedule. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Raiders own the ninth-toughest slate in the NFL, and the eighth-most difficult in the AFC.
If you go by Super Bowl odds of their opponents (h/t Deniz Selman), Las Vegas has a better outlook but still sports the 14th-toughest schedule in the league.
Let's dive a bit deeper into the Raiders' 2024 schedule and take a look at the six games we think are the toughest, in no particular order.
Toughest games on Raiders schedule
Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are coming off a season in which they made a trip to the AFC title game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champions and Baltimore is expected to be one of the better teams in the NFL once again this season.
Making this game even tougher is the fact that it comes in Baltimore.
Week 4 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are a tough matchup no matter where you get them, mostly thanks to a very good defense that sports a superstar pass-rusher in Myles Garrett. There's also a chance Deshaun Watson remembers how to play football this year and elevates the Browns' offense.
Week 8 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders are a dreadful 54-71-2 all time against the Chiefs, including a 4-16 mark since 2014. And things have only gotten worse since Patrick Mahomes took over, with Las Vegas sporting a 2-10 record versus KC since he's been the starter.
The good news about this matchup? Taylor Swift is NOT expected to attend.
Week 9 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Raiders haven't won in Cincinnati since 1995 and most recently lost a playoff game there during the 2021 campaign. The only reprieve the Raiders could get is if Joe Burrow gets hurt again, but even then Jake Browning is a very capable player.
Week 11 at Miami Dolphins
Hopefully Christian Wilkins can help the Raiders figure out his former mates, who will have one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2024. Despite the loss of Wilkins, Miami's defense won't be too shabby, either, and they should be viewed as the favorites in the AFC East.
Week 13 at Kansas City Chiefs
Read everything we said above, and then add in the fact that Arrowhead is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. That's why Kansas City makes the list twice.
