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Las Vegas Raiders 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders watches as his team plays the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 03, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 03: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders watches as his team plays the Denver Broncos in the second quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on January 03, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 1: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

The team is still looking to make its first playoff appearance since 2016. Which five games could be pivotal to the Las Vegas Raiders this upcoming season?

The past two seasons the Silver and Black have called the cities of Oakland and Las Vegas home, respectively. There were different venues but almost identical results to their 16-game campaigns. In 2019, Jon Gruden’s club won six of its first 10 contests before slumping late and finishing 7-9.

A year ago, the Raiders got off to an even better start at 6-3. But the team’s defense betrayed the club once again and a season-ending win over the Broncos put the wraps on an 8-8 campaign. Now the quest begins once again for a franchise that hasn’t won a division title or playoff contest since its Super Bowl XXXVII campaign.

Now Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock (who received a less-than-flattering rating as a combo by NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal) are at it again. The team was busy in free agency, per usual. During the draft, the Raiders used a first-round pick on Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood.

This season, each NFL team will play 17 games. Which five are essential to the team’s success this season?

5 Games the Las Vegas Raiders need to win

5. at Cleveland Browns

The Raiders made an appearance in Cleveland this past season and came up with a 16-6 victory in Week 8. Blame the modest score on some rough weather, which included winds of 35 miles per hour. The game’s only touchdown came on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Las Vegas got a big outing from running back Josh Jacobs, who ran 31 times for 129 yards. All told, Jon Gruden’s squad ran for 209 yards and controlled the clock for an impressive 37:43. It was one of three wins over 2020 playoff teams (Saints, Raiders and Browns) for the Silver and Black.

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