Silver Minings: Raiders’ schedule puts team at disadvantage for rest

Opponents will have more time off this season

The NFL released its schedule for the 2025 NFL season, and the league’s schedule makers didn’t do the Las Vegas Raiders any favors when it comes to rest this season.

According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Raiders will only play one game with more time between games than their opponent, while having six contests with less rest than their opponent.

Even after Las Vegas’ bye week, the team won’t have a rest advantage. The Raiders play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9 after the bye, and both clubs will have the previous week off. Granted, the Jaguars will be coming off their annual trip across the pond in England.

Sharp also noted that the Silver and Black have two road games on a short week. Only the Green Bay Packers (three) have more, and the Raiders are one of 11 clubs with a pair of road contests on short rest compared to 12 that are in that situation just once. Las Vegas’ matchups in these games aren’t exactly easy draws either, the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos, both reigning playoff participants.

So, Pete Carroll’s crew will have to overcome some adversity via the schedule this season.

In Other Raiders’ Links:

• Way-too-early record prediction: speaking of the schedule, Silver and Black Pride gave some early thoughts on each of the Raiders’ 17 games this season.
• Best road trips: “I love that it’s early in the season and New England is beautiful that time of year,” S&BP’s Bill Williamson wrote. “There is added excitement that this is the first game of the season. The only thing that would make this trip perfect is if the Boston Red Sox were home that weekend.”
• Tom Brady influenced Carroll to join Raiders: “When Tom came on board here it changed my outlook to come here,” Carroll said on the Brock & Salk podcast. “I thought that would be one of the great opportunities of all time, to have his presence. His presence is strong.”
• Jack Bech in great situation: “I already view Bech as the best wide receiver on the Raiders roster, as he’s joining a room with Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker and a couple of Day 3 picks from this year’s draft,” NFL Media’s Marc Ross wrote. “That means Bech should have the opportunity to capitalize on some advantageous matchups, with so much of the defense’s attention focused on Bowers, Jeanty and a quarterback who knows how to sling it.”
• John Jenkins signs with Ravens: the veteran nose tackle is headed to Baltimore after two years in Las Vegas.