With the release of the 2018 season schedule, here are three key games Oakland Raiders fans should mark on their calendar.
The Oakland Raiders were one of the most disappointing teams in 2017, failing to make the playoffs despite being considered Super Bowl dark horses before the start of the season.
However, the team is rejuvenating with some big offseason moves and the return of Jon Gruden as their head coach. Now there are hopes for what they can rebound and accomplish in the 2018 season. Those hopes were set before them on Thursday with the release of the Raiders’ 2018 season schedule.
Here are three key games that will be interesting to watch play out as the season progresses and the Raiders look to get back on track.
Week 2: at Denver Broncos
Oakland’s division schedule opens with a tough game, facing off against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in just the second week of the season. The Raiders haven’t been able to win in Denver since December 2015 and will surely be looking to break that trend this season. It is important for Oakland to get off to a strong start, especially in what is expected to be a close AFC West race in 2018. There is certainly no love lost between these two teams and this should be one of the best games of the early season.
Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been perennial contenders in the AFC for most of the 21st century and the Raiders could certainly make a huge statement by beating them in a nationally televised Sunday Night Football matchup. The Steelers have had one of the most explosive offenses in the league over the last few years and if the Raiders want to show an improved defense and high-scoring offense under Jon Gruden this would be the perfect chance to do so.
If Oakland hopes to make the next step to becoming an elite team in the NFL they have to take advantage of every chance to capitalize against the best of the best in the league, especially with the entire country watching.
Next: NFL Schedule 2018: Best game from each week
Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs
It is impossible to know exactly what the standings will look like in the final week of the upcoming season but it is easy to imagine this game could have some huge implications within the AFC West playoff race. The Raiders have won just two of their last ten games against the Kansas City Chiefs since the start of the 2013 season and have not won in Arrowhead since October 2012.
Just picture it, Jon Gruden traveling to Kansas City to face off against his former mentor with the playoffs on the line in the final week of the regular season. It seems too perfect to not play out that way.