Raiders schedule 2026: 5 critical games

HENDERSON, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 10: Klint Kubiak speaks as he is introduced as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders during a news conference at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on February 10, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders 2026 schedule has been released. Let's look at five games the Raiders need to win as they try to win as many games as possible:

Week 1, Sept. 13 Miami Dolphins, 1:25 p.m., FOX

Yes, Week 1 games are always weird and they may not tell the story of what's to come in the rest of the season. Just look at last year when the Raiders opened the season with a win at New England. Las Vegas went on to earn the No. 1 overall draft pick and the Patriots went to the Super Bowl. Still, the Raiders should beat Miami. They need to be 1-0 as they go into a two-game road stretch.

Week 3, Sept 27 at New Orleans Saints, 1:25 p.m., CBS

The season gets really tough after this game. the Saints are beatable. If the Raiders can win this game and have a winning record going into Week 4, it will be a momentum builder.

Week 4, Oct. 4 Kansas City Chiefs, 1;25 p.m., CBS

The meat of the Raiders' schedule starts in this game. If they can knock off Kansas City, it will be a huge confidence booster and send a message to the rest of the AFC West.

Week 8, Nov. 1 at New York Jets, 10 a.m., FOX

This game in a rare break from powerhouse opponents during the stretch from Week 4-11. The Raiders must take advantage and dispose of Geno Smith and the Jets to start November football.

Week 15, Dec. 20 Denver Broncos, 1:25 p.m., CBS

If the Raiders are going to be in the playoff hunt down the stretch, this major AFC West matchup is a must win. They have winnable games against Tennessee and Arizona in Weeks 16-17 before the season finale at Kansas City. Beating the Broncos is crucial if the Raiders want to be true playoff contenders.

What games do you think are the most critical on the Raiders' schedule?

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