Las Vegas Raiders 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

You knew the other AFC East game the Raiders would have to have would show up on this list. Even if the Miami Dolphins are markedly improved, the Raiders still need to take care of business and beat them at home this fall. A loss at home to the Dolphins seriously jeopardizes the Raiders’ chances of getting over .500 and pushing for a playoff spot.

Miami massively overachieved last season by winning five more games than anyone thought they would. Not to say the Dolphins will end up doubling their win total of five to get to 10 this fall, but they too are probably not going to be a bottom-feeder in the AFC next year. They have too much positive momentum under second-year head coach Brian Flores. Plus, they’re draft a quarterback.

Should the Dolphins end up with either Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert as their next franchise quarterback, the Raiders have more proven NFL quarterbacks on their roster. Even if the Dolphins go with Ryan Fitzpatrick for much of the season, you can’t lose at home to Ryan Fitzpatrick if you’re the Raiders. You still have Derek Carr and signed Marcus Mariota.

Dropping this game at home to the Dolphins means the Raiders would have to be presumably a better Buffalo Bills team at home or somehow find a way to beat the New England Patriots at Gillette. Heck, it puts an absurd amount of pressure on beating the New York Jets at MetLife, if that game comes up later in the schedule. The Raiders must split their AFC East games.