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

As it is with any must-win game list, usually the most important game on the schedule is one with a division rival. Since the AFC West looks to be incredibly tight this year, it wouldn’t really be shocking if any team won anywhere…well, expect Derek Carr hasn’t proven he can win in Arrowhead for the life of him. Either way, the Raiders need to beat the Denver Broncos at home.

Winning at Mile High probably isn’t happening, and we know how we feel about the road date with the Kansas City Chiefs. With the Los Angeles Chargers being better, the Raiders aren’t guaranteed to beat them home or away. Of course, the Chargers are the likeliest team the Raiders could sweep, but the Bolts could end up sweeping the Silver and Black for all we know.

The reason beating the Broncos at home is key is they are the Raiders’ biggest threat to finishing in second in the division and vying for a Wild Card berth. Denver plays a tougher second-place schedule with the Raider, as the Broncos have dates with the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the AFC North and the Tennessee Titans out of the AFC South. Simply put, they’re not winning both.

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If the Raiders can go something like 3-3, maybe 4-2 in the AFC West, go 2-0 in their third-place games and split their AFC East and NFC South games, then the Raiders should be able to finish over .500 and contend for a playoff spot. Winning at home vs. Denver would mitigate a certain loss at Mile High. Without a win at home over the Broncos, how do they finish better than third place?