The schedule for the Raiders’ 2024 season is set to be officially released by the NFL at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. This announcement will detail the sequence of matchups, revealing when the team will face its opponents, though the team list has been known for quite some time. Here are the top three aspects fans and analysts are particularly keen to learn more about with the imminent schedule release:
1. The Basics
For the upcoming season, the AFC, which includes the Raiders, will have eight home games and will hit the road for nine games. At Allegiant Stadium, the fans will see their team take on the Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Browns, Falcons, Jaguars, Panthers, and Steelers. Away from home, the Raiders will battle it out against the Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Bengals, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Rams, Ravens, and Saints.
2. Derek Carr’s Anticipated Return
One of the most anticipated games of the season will see the Raiders go up against their former star quarterback, Derek Carr, now with the New Orleans Saints. This matchup is rife with emotional undertones, given Carr’s deep history with the Raiders, where he became the franchise leader in passing yards (35,222) and touchdowns (217) over nine seasons.
After joining the Saints, Carr recorded 3,878 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in his debut season. This game not only signifies a homecoming of sorts for Carr but is also shaping up to be a highlight of the NFL season, potentially securing a prime spot in national broadcast slots.
3. Travel Concerns
The Raiders’ 2024 schedule includes some significant travel challenges, with games in Baltimore, Cleveland, Miami, and Tampa requiring cross-country flights that span three time zones. The team’s preference would likely lean towards playing in Baltimore and Cleveland earlier in the season to sidestep the colder climates, whereas Miami and Tampa Bay could pose difficulties with the intense Florida humidity if those games are scheduled in the season’s opening weeks.
As we await the detailed schedule release, these elements underscore a season filled with both strategic and emotional battles for the Raiders, punctuated by the awaited return of Derek Carr in a game that’s sure to capture the attention of the entire NFL community.