3 teams screwed the hardest by the 2023 NFL schedule

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

3 teams screwed the hardest by the 2023 NFL schedule, No. 2: Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders decided to move on from quarterback Derek Carr after the 2022 season and the search began to find his replacement. They ultimately went after Jimmy Garoppolo, who has a connection with head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler dating back to their time together with the New England Patriots. But, this team also traded away tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants, so that is a big downfield option taken away.

This team already had difficult odds of making it out of the AFC West, especially with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in there, but the schedule-makers did them absolutely no favors.

Take a look at Las Vegas’ schedule from Week 8 until Week 16.

Week 8: at Detroit Lions
Week 9: vs. New York Giants
Week 10: vs. New York Jets
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins
Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 15: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs

In those nine weeks, the Raiders will be playing a playoff team from last year six times. Sure, the Raiders will have a 34-day stay at home in Las Vegas (via CBS Sports’ John Breech), but they have to play against the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Chargers with a bye week in between. That by no means will be easy, especially playing the Chiefs and Chargers.

Can the Raiders surprise the NFL by winning these games? Of course! Can it happen? Well, on paper, that looks like a tall task.

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