Silver And Black Pride
Arguably, the biggest disappointment in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 schedule release is that they didn’t get any primetime games this season. To be fair, that’s the result of the team going 7-27 over the last two years. However, the NFL’s flex scheduling allows clubs that enter the campaign with low expectations to “play their way into primetime”.
Per the league’s rules, any game in Week 5 or later can be flexed into Sunday Night Football, as the complete guidelines are listed below. With those in mind, let’s look at a few options for Las Vegas to be in the limelight.
For Sunday Night Football, it may be used up to twice between Weeks 5-10, and any week during Weeks 11-17.
For Monday Night Football, it may be used any week in Weeks 12-17.
For Thursday Night Football, it may be used up to twice between Weeks 13-17.
Only Sunday afternoon games (or those listed as TBD) are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, Monday night, or Thursday night, in which case the initially scheduled Sunday, Monday, or Thursday night game would be moved to Sunday afternoon.
This game getting flexed is highly contingent on Fernando Mendoza being the starting quarterback, and the NFL would love it even more if it’s going to be his first start. That gives the league an opportunity to show off the most recent No. 1 pick of the draft and the current Super Bowl favorite. It helps that this game is around the halfway point of the season, which likely lines up with Klint Kubiak’s and the coaching staff’s ideal timeline to make Mendoza the starter.
Also, the Los Angeles Rams recently trading for Myles Garrett boosts the odds because the league is likely going to be looking to put the Rams on primetime as much as possible. On top of that, there’s the storyline with Davante Adams’ first game against the Raiders since asking for a trade during the 2024 campaign.
Week 7 SNF: Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks
This is another game that could line up with the Heisman Trophy winner’s first NFL start since it’s at about the midway point of the season. Regardless, barring the Raiders storming out of the gates with Kirk Cousins, Mendoza will have to be behind center for there to be enough interest surrounding the team to get flexed into primetime. That goes for every matchup listed here.
If Mendoza is starting, then this could be a good primetime option since it pits the reigning Super Bowl Champs against their former offensive coordinator. Kubiak facing his old team is certainly a storyline the league would want to drum up.
Week 10 SNF: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Any late-season divisional matchup is a candidate to get moved into primetime if both teams are contenders. So, the Raiders and Chargers will have to be in the...
