We ranked all the games in the Raiders 2025 schedule from easiest to toughest

We now know the full Raiders 2025 schedule. Who they play when. What team they play is important. But there's also importance on when they play those teams. Those factors undoubtedly change things, so they must be incorporated into the difficulty level of the matchup.

For instance, we discovered shortly after the schedule release that the Raiders have the NFL's worst net rest differential. Which means they get less rest than their opponents more often than any other team in the league.

Sometimes that will be enough to tip the scales in a close matchup. Sometimes it could make an otherwise would have been an expected win into an upset. And other times it just makes an already tough matchup a blowout.

There are several of each category for the Raiders this season. So, let's rank their games from easiest to hardest

17. Week 12: Sun., Nov. 23 CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:05 p.m. CBS

The Browns organization is the laughing stock of the NFL. The worst team in the league. They represented one of the Raiders few wins last season in a game the Browns lost with aggressive insistence. I don't see how they've improved any from that squad.

16. Week 17: TBD NEW YORK GIANTS TBD TBD

Perhaps I'm not giving the Giants enough credit here. But they likely come to Las Vegas in Week 17 not playing for anything other than pride.

15. Week 9: Sun., Nov. 2 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:05 p.m. FOX

Another lesser talented squad coming to Allegiant. They bring the draft's most talented player with them in Travis Hunter. But will he be enough to lift this Jaguars team from the depths? I don't think so.

14. Week 6: Sun., Oct. 12 TENNESSEE TITANS 1:05 p.m. FOX

Speaking of top draft talents expected to lift their franchises...Cam Ward was easily the best QB in this year's draft class so if there's any top pick in this class who can do it, it's him. But will he have found his NFL footing in by week six? Seems doubtful.

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13. Week 5: Sun., Oct. 5 at Indianapolis Colts 10:00 a.m. FOX

Anthony Richardson has a lot to prove and Daniel Jones isn't the answer. But a third Easern time zone game in five weeks for the Raiders could make this one a bit tougher than it should be.

12. Week 14: Sun., Dec. 7 DENVER BRONCOS 1:05 p.m. CBS

The hope for the Raiders is that they will be a bit more evenly matched with the Broncos this season. And hopefully their fans won't be outnumbers in their own stadium as is often the case.

11. Week 1: Sun., Sept. 7 at New England Patriots 10:00 a.m. CBS

First game of the season, the Raiders head to the East Coast. Both teams have new coaching staffs, but head coaches who had previous long stints with other teams. The Raiders are more talented, but the Patriots have home field advantage. So, it should be an interesting matchup.

10. Week 2: Mon., Sept. 15 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 7:00 p.m. ESPN

This is probably the. most intriguing matchup of the season for the Raiders. Longtime rivals Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh facing off in the Raiders home opener. The Chargers are a better team, but the Raiders should have a rowdy home crowd on their side and play inspired football. Should be a great game.

9. Week 4: Sun., Sept. 28 CHICAGO BEARS 1:25 p.m. CBS

Two East coast trips and the high energy home opener, brings the Bears to town led by former number one overall pick Caleb Williams in his second season. This has the makings of a lull for the Raiders.

8. Week 11: Mon., Nov. 17 DALLAS COWBOYS 5:15 p.m. ESPN/ABC

The Cowboys and Raiders seem fairly evenly matched in terms of talent. But the Cowboys will be coming off of their bye week for this game with nine games of tape at their disposal. They also will likely have a strong fan presence at the game. Not an ideal situation for the Raiders to say the least.

7. Week 10: Thurs., Nov. 6 at Denver Broncos 5:15 p.m. Prime

Trips to Mile High are never easy. Bo Nix had an outstanding rookie season. No reason to believe he won't be even better in year two under Sean Payton.

6. Week 13: Sun., Nov. 30 at Los Angeles Chargers 1:25 p.m. CBS

In their first meeting in week two, the Raiders had inspiration and energy on their side. Not to say they won't have any for this one, but by week 13, you'd figure pure talent will win the day and the Chargers have plenty of it. Oh, and did I mention the Chargers will be coming off a bye?

5. Week 18: TBD KANSAS CITY CHIEFS TBD TBD*

This one is on the assumption the Chiefs will still have something to play for. And they come into this game off a long week from playing on Thursday Night. If the Raiders are actually playing for anything, the Chiefs will be ready to play spoiler.

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4. Week 16: Sun., Dec. 21 at Houston Texans 1:25 p.m. CBS

CJ Stroud is one of the NFL top signal callers and now he has new weapons at receiver and protection up front. After consecutive 10-7 seasons, this team is poised for a breakout.

3. Week 7: Sun., Oct. 19 at Kansas City Chiefs 10:00 a.m. CBS

Any trip to Arrowhead is going to be one of the toughest games of the season.

2. Week 15: Sun., Dec. 14 at Philadelphia Eagles 10:00 a.m. FOX

It was these Eagles that knocked the Chiefs off their perch in the Super Bowl. The Raiders head for another East Coast game and into the house of the defending champs who will be in the thick of the playoff race.

1. Week 3: Sun., Sept. 21 at Washington Commanders 10:00 a.m. FOX

For the second time in their first three games, the Raiders head to the East Coast. This time to face the team that came within a game of the Super Bowl last season. And with a fresh, early season Jayden Daniels and Co. coming off a long week from playing on Thursday Night Football in week two. This one has the making of a bloodbath.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 2025 schedule: Ranking games from easiest to toughest