Predicting All 17 2023 Las Vegas Raiders Games
HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders schedule is out, and we know that it is packed with some terrific games and will be entertaining.
This is my fourth season of being a beat writer covering this team.
In my first two seasons, I nailed it. There is nothing wrong in telling you that, but in the interest of transparency, I utterly failed last year.
The way I predict it is simple. I have done it the same way for years, giving you a worst-case scenario and a best.
I look at games and ask if they played 10 times, how many do I think each team would win?
Of course, this is very early; certainly, more players will be added, and some will be hurt. But, if I look at a game and think one team would win six or more, I predict them—conversely, the other.
If I believe that each team will win five, I give the edge to the home team.
I can’t predict injuries, so obviously, I won’t do that, but without any other adieu, here is my way-to-early 2023 analysis, with a little fun thrown into it:
Sunday, Sept. 10 at Denver Broncos Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo., 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders enter the 2023 campaign looking sharp. They aren’t used to having perfect weather in Denver, but these aren’t the same old Broncos that the Raiders have owned for the last several years. Despite a valiant effort, the Raiders fall on a last-second field goal. Loss, 0-1
Sunday, Sept. 17 at Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y., 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders head east for a showdown with one of the best teams in the NFL. Despite a Raiders defense showing obvious life and rejuvenation, the Raiders get four sacks but can’t contain Josh Allen. Loss, 0-2
Sunday, Sept. 24 (SNF) Pittsburgh Steelers at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Raider Nation is hot, with a 0-2 start, but there have been signs of improvement. In his first start in Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders' offense looks the best since Josh McDaniels arrived, and the Las Vegas Raiders, behind three touchdown passes from Jimmy Garoppolo, take out the Steelers on national TV. Win, 1-2
Sunday, Oct. 1 at Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif., 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Las Vegas Raiders can turn this game into a ball-control battle. The Bolts sell out to stop Davante Adams, and despite terrific games from Josh Jacobs and Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders fall. Loss, 1-3
Monday, Oct. 9 (MNF) Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
The frustration from Raiders Nation is tangible, but this Raiders team looks different. Jordan Love leads the Pack into Allegiant for a nationally televised game, and the Raiders pummel the young emerging quarterback. The Raiders roll in front of the national television audience for the second time this season. Win, 2-3
Sunday, Oct. 15 New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders are looking to assemble their first winning streak of the season. They do just that with Bill Belichick and the Patriots in the house. Jakobi Meyers gets a touchdown late, Michael Mayer catches a two-point conversion, and the Silver and Black are on a roll. Win, 3-3
Sunday, Oct. 22 at Chicago Bears Soldier Field, Chicago, Iii., 1:05 p.m. ET, FOX
The Raiders head to the shores of Lake Michigan and play well. Unfortunately, so does a young Justin Fields, who finally has some help, and the Silver and Black lose a close one. Loss, 3-4
Monday, Oct, 30 (MNF) at Detroit Lions Ford Field, Detroit, Mich., 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
For the third time in 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders find themselves with a national audience, but this game is not at Allegiant. The Lions play their best game of the year, and the Raiders struggle but still keep it interesting. Loss, 3-5
Sunday, Nov. 5 New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
An angry Raider team is a good Raider team. The Raiders didn’t play their best in Detroit, and they let one slip away. In a game that no one expects them to win, the Raiders' defense shines, and the Silver and Black win a brutally physical game. Win, 4-5
Sunday, Nov. 12 (SNF) New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Looking for a second winning streak, the Raiders continue the momentum of the week before and complete the sweep of the teams from Gotham. Win, 5-5
Sunday, Nov. 19 at Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla., 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Riding high on a two-game winning streak, the Raiders head to the humidity of Miami and fall flat. Loss, 5-6
Sunday, Nov. 26 Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders play perhaps the best game of the season. The defense and the offense are clicking, and despite a close battle, they lose on the final play. Loss, 5-7
Sunday, December 3, 2023, BYE
I guarantee the Raiders will not lose this weekend.
Sunday, Dec. 10 Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders took their bye week seriously. Firmly remaining in the hunt for an NFL Playoff Wildcard, the Raiders pass rushers demolish the Vikings, and behind three turnovers from the men in purple, the Raiders roll. Win, 6-7
Thursday, Dec. 14 (TNF) Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev., 8:20 p.m. ET, AMAZON Prime
Once again, with a national TV audience, the Raiders are on fire. The defense gets two picks from Justin Herbert, who faces a relentless pass rush all night, and the offense is nearly unstoppable. Win, 7-7
Monday, Dec. 25 (MNF) CHRISTMAS at Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo., 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Christmas in Arrowhead is not a fun time for the Silver and Black. It is cold, and the Raiders look it, falling once again to their arch nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs. Loss, 7-8
Sunday, Dec. 31 at Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind., 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Raiders' pride was hurt on Christmas Day. They know that they are better. Rallying behind their captains, the Silver and Black head to Indianapolis on a business trip and decimate the Colts. Win, 8-8
Sunday, Jan. 7 Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev/, TBD
The Raiders are still in the NFL Playoff Wildcard race. But this game is about more than that. This team is far from perfect, but they are improving. They are not the team that started the season, and they show it. With an Allegiant Stadium crowd raucous and rowdy for their team, the Raiders blow out the Broncos. It isn’t enough to make the playoffs, but it sends the Raiders into an offseason where The Nation can feel the expectation and hope for 2024 burgeoning. Win, 9-8
If this scenario continues, the Raider organization and Raider Nation will feel good.
In the above scenario, I can see the Raiders winning a max of nine games and a minimum of eight. That's why I predict nine. If the Raiders fall into that category of eight wins, it constitutes a successful season.
Before you deluge me with emails reminding me that the Raiders' “Just Win Baby” philosophy means a losing record is a failure, I remind you, I am not a fan.
My job is to give fair analysis and what I think marks progress for the organization.
The Raiders' offseason workout schedule is as follows:
OTA Offseason workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 12-15
Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8
Rookie Minicamp: May 12-14
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