Raiders News: Las Vegas Opens 2021 NFL Season Versus Ravens
Derek Carr, Raiders, Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Nov 25, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is congratulated by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders will get the 2021 NFL season started off with a bang as they host the Baltimore Ravens while welcoming fans to Allegiant Stadium for the first time.

Week 1: Raiders host Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 13 at 5:15 p.m. PT

This will mark the first regular-season game with fans at Allegiant Stadium, and they will need the home-field advantage with the Ravens coming for a primetime showdown for the first edition of Monday Night Football. Quarterback Lamar Jackson managed to secure his first playoff win last year and will be looking to get back to his MVP ways to kick off the season against a revamped Raiders defense.

Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers host Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. PT

The Raiders will have a quick turnaround to start the year as they prepare to hit the road to take on another AFC playoff team from last season in the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Following an offseason of uncertainty, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is looking to make at least one more run at a Super Bowl.

Week 3: Raiders host Miami Dolphins On Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1:05 p.m. PT

The tough start to the season continues for Las Vegas as they return home to host a talented, young Dolphins team. All eyes will be on Too Tagovailoa’s improvement under center going into his sophomore season. The onus will fall on the bolstered Raiders’ pass rush to make him feel uncomfortable.

Week 4: Los Angeles Chargers Host Raiders On Monday, Oct. 4 at 5:15 p.m. PT

The Raiders wrap up the first quarter of the season with their first AFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have high hopes for their offense led by a budding young star in quarterback Justin Herbert in a matchup with all the makings of a potential shootout on primetime.

Week 5: Raiders host Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1:05 p.m. PT

Las Vegas will take a trip to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 5. Although the Bears have dubbed Andy Dalton as QB1 going into the year, it will be interesting to see if the reins of the offense have already been handed over to No. 11 overall pick Justin Fields by then.

Week 6: Denver Broncos host Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 1:25 p.m. PT

The Raiders are taking on the Broncos in their second divisional matchup of the year. Barring a blockbuster trade for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Las Vegas can expect to see Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater under center this season.

Week 7: Raiders host Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1:05 p.m. PT

Las Vegas returns home before the bye week to take on their first NFC East opponent in the Eagles. Although their fall from grace following a Super Bowl victory has been swift, there are high hopes for a potential resurgence behind Jalen Hurts.

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: New York Giants host Raiders On Sunday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. PT

The Raiders return from their extra week of rest for a trip to the East Coast to take on the Giants. Given their history of meltdowns in the second half of the season, this could be a turning point for them to stay on track for the playoffs.

Week 10: Raiders host Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 5:20 p.m. PT

Las Vegas will have home-field advantage for their primetime matchup with the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. They managed to split the series with their AFC West rival last year and made concerted efforts to keep up with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and this high-powered offense.

Week 11: Raiders host Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 1:05 p.m. PT

The Raiders get to finish off their two-game homestand against a favorable opponent in a rebuilding Bengals squad. By this time, they will have a good idea of how well former No. 1 pick Joe Burrow has bounced back from a devastating knee injury and must secure a victory before the brutal stretch ahead.

Week 12: Dallas Cowboys host Raiders on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m. PT

Las Vegas was clearly one of the league’s biggest draws this season after being slotted to play against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Taking part in the tradition at AT&T Stadium will allow this team to make a statement in one of the biggest games of the year.

Week 13: Raiders host Washington Football Team on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 1:05 p.m. PT

The Raiders will wrap up their NFC East gauntlet with a visit from Washington. While this could be another favorable matchup for them, it is never wise to overlook Fitzmagic under center and this talented defense under head coach Ron Rivera.

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs host Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. PT

Depending on the outcome from their first matchup, this could be the biggest game of the 2021 campaign for head coach Jon Gruden. It will be a much more daunting task this time around with a visit to Arrowhead Stadium and potential playoff implications on the line.

Week 15: Cleveland Browns host Raiders either Saturday, Dec. 18 or Sunday, Dec. 19 at TBD

The Raiders finish up a rough two-game road stretch by visiting another AFC playoff team from last year in the Browns. Not only do they boast some serious firepower on offense, but their notable additions to the defense this offseason have once again come with high expectations.

Week 16: Raiders host Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 26 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Las Vegas will finally return home to play host to a divisional showdown against Denver. Despite finishing last in the AFC West in 2020, a win this week could help them play major spoiler by making a significant jump this season.

Week 17: Indianapolis Colts host Raiders on Sunday, Jan. 2 at 10 a.m. PT

The Raiders hit the road for the last time in the regular season with a visit to take on the Colts. They made some significant changes under center with the arrival of Carson Wentz and are hoping he is poised for a potential resurgence following an unceremonious departure from the Eagles.

Week 18: Raiders host Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Las Vegas closes out the 2021 season at Allegiant Stadium for what will likely be a crucial game against the Chargers. There is speculation regarding how teams plan to approach the extra game as far as rest goes, but it remains to be seen if either of these AFC West squads will have the luxury.