The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025-26 season was a complete disaster, finishing with a dismal 3-14 record and last place in the AFC West under first-year head coach Pete Carroll. The team struggled from the outset, scoring just 241 points (worst in the NFL at 14.2 per game) while allowing 432 (25.4 per game), resulting in a -191 point differential and their fourth straight losing campaign.
Despite flashes from rookies like running back Ashton Jeanty (975 rushing yards, league-leading among rookies) and wide receiver Tre Tucker (team high 696 receiving yards), the offense faltered with quarterback Geno Smith leading the league in interceptions and sacks taken. The defense showed effort from players like Maxx Crosby (28 tackles for loss) and Devin White (franchise-record 174 tackles), but overall collapses led to Pete Carroll’s firing after the season, marking yet another coaching change in a prolonged rebuild.
| Opponents | Home/Away | Division | Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | Home | AFC West | TBD |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Home | AFC West | TBD |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Home | AFC West | TBD |
| Buffalo Bills | Home | AFC East | TBD |
| Miami Dolphins | Home | AFC East | TBD |
| Los Angeles Rams | Home | NFC West | TBD |
| Seattle Seahawks | Home | NFC West | TBD |
| Tennessee Titans | Home | AFC South | TBD |
| Denver Broncos | Away | AFC West | TBD |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Away | AFC West | TBD |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Away | AFC West | TBD |
| Arizona Cardinals | Away | NFC West | TBD |
| Cleveland Browns | Away | AFC North | TBD |
| New England Patriots | Away | AFC East | TBD |
| New Orleans Saints | Away | NFC South | TBD |
| New York Jets | Away | AFC East | TBD |
| San Francisco 49ers | Away | NFC West | TBD |
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The Las Vegas Raiders face the NFL’s 7th-hardest strength of schedule in 2026 at .529, a daunting slate amid their rebuild after a 3-14 disaster in 2025-26 season. Home games at Allegiant Stadium include AFC West rivals Denver, Kansas City, and Los Angeles who are all perennial contenders, plus powerhouses like the Bills, Rams, and Seahawks. Only the Dolphins and Titans offer relative ease, with the rest posting elite defensive and offensive threats in eight home games.
On the road, divisional rematches amplify the grind, joined by tough matchups at San Francisco, who were a resilient team last season even with all the injuries, and New England who just played in the Super Bowl. However, winnable matchups are also present in their schedule against Arizona, Cleveland, New Orleans, and the Jets, who are all rebuilding squads.
Overall, this strength of schedule demands precision and consistency to avoid another basement finish, especially since they have the No.1 draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft and have introduced a new but established head coach.
The Las Vegas Raiders ceiling in 2026-27 appears capped at 8-9 amid a grueling 7th hardest Strength of Schedule and ongoing rebuild, but strategic wins could push them toward .500 and wild-card contention if key pieces gel and show growth next season. Home advantage against softer teams like Miami and Tennessee, plus road foes including the Cardinals, Browns, Saints, and the Jets, provide paths to 7-8 victories. However, AFC West battles twice against Denver, Kansas City, and Los Angeles, loaded with talent, plus elite matchups like the Bills, Rams, Seahawks, 49ers, and New England limit upside without major quarterback and defensive upgrades.
Likely, they hover around 6-11, securing another high draft pick while flashing potential from rookies like Ashton Jeanty and possibly QB Fernando Mendoza from the 2026 NFL draft. Ceiling hinges on health, coaching stability post-Carroll firing bringing in Klint Kubiak, and exploiting winnable games. However, in our opinion, 9 wins could possibly be their ceiling for next season and anything over that would be overachieving against contenders. Making the playoffs is a stretch but not impossible in a transitional year.
Our Prediction: Raiders miss the playoffs in 2026-27 NFL season.
As per the latest Super Bowl odds BetMGM, the Las Vegas Raiders are (+15000) to win the Super Bowl LXI next season, holding the 28th best odds to win it all.
This isn’t a surprise. Coming off a brutal 3-14 collapse in 2025-26 that featured league-worst scoring, a quarterback plagued by interceptions and sacks, and the firing of Pete Carroll within a year of his tenure, the Raiders remain deep in rebuild mode.
The roster still lacks proven talent at key positions, with only rookies like Ashton Jeanty, Tre Tucker, or second-year TE Brock Bowers showing promise amid widespread inconsistency on the offensive side of the field. Facing the NFL’s 7th-hardest schedule in 2026, loaded with AFC West rematches against the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos, plus elite cross-conference matchups like Buffalo, Rams, Seahawks, 49ers, and Patriots, upside remains limited.
Even with potential draft additions (QB Fernando Mendoza), coaching change with Klint Kubiak, and some easier games against softer teams like Miami and Tennessee, meaning contention feels year away for them. Even a playoff berth would already qualify as overachievement in this transitional year.
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In terms of the Raiders to win their Conference at AFC, their odds currently sit at (+6600), 14th best odds at AFC, as per BetMGM, behind the likes of numerous teams including the Ravens, Bills, Chargers, Patriots, Chiefs, Broncos, to name a few. This longshot status is no surprise given their ongoing rebuild struggles.
After a disastrous 3-14 campaign in 2025-26 that featured league-worst offense, quarterback turnover woes, and Pete Carroll’s firing, the Raiders remain far from AFC contention. The 7th-hardest schedule in 2026 piles on pain with double AFC West matchups against elite teams including the Chiefs, Rams, and the Broncos. They also play other tough teams including the Bills, Rams, Seahawks to name a few. Without major roster upgrades, possibly a rookie QB entering with great expectations (likely leading to a disappointing start with all the pressure), defensive transformations, and trade speculations around Maxx Crosby, the Raiders could finish with a better but still with a losing or .500 record.
With that said, making a conference title run is highly improbable, keeping their odds firmly in longshot territory for the foreseeable future.
The odds to win the AFC West division for the Las Vegas Raiders is set at (+3000), as per BetMGM, giving them the fourth best odds to win their division, behind the likes of the Chiefs (+175), Chargers (+175), and the Broncos (+210).
The Chiefs boast Patrick Mahomes’ potential return from injury alongside unmatched championship pedigree and proven roster depth. The Chargers remain legitimate contenders with Justin Herbert and a bolstered supporting cast. The Broncos, fresh off an AFC Championship appearance despite losing Bo Nix to injury, carry elite defensive talent and recent playoff momentum.
In contrast, the Raiders – still reeling from a 3-14 disaster, coaching turnover, and ongoing rebuild – are nowhere close to matching the talent, depth, experience, or winning culture of these three rivals, making a division title highly improbable.
(According to BetMGM: BetMGM offers exclusive promo codes, bonus deals and accurate odds for users upon signing up. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game in all sports!