Las Vegas Raiders schedule gives Fernando Mendoza his first reality check originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Las Vegas Raiders will head into the 2026-27 season with renewed optimism. A No. 1 overall pick as the new face of the franchise in Fernando Mendoza, new coach in Klint Kubiak and a willingness to compete in the AFC West. But the Raiders and Mendoza will be thrown into the fire early with a tough schedule, which at some points appears to be unforgiving.
Las Vegas opens the season against the Miami Dolphins, but then hit the road for back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Week 4 will bring the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes to Sin City. We’ll know by then what this Raiders team is made of this season.
For a rookie quarterback like Mendoza, this is go time and will show how well he has adjusted to the learning curve.
Las Vegas Raiders 2026-27 Schedule
Week 1: vs. Dolphins
Week 2: at Chargers
Week 3: at Saints
Week 4: vs. Chiefs
Week 5: at Patriots
Week 6: vs. Bills
Week 7: vs. Rams
Week 8: at Jets
Week 9: at 49ers
Week 10: vs. Seahawks
Week 11: at Broncos
Week 12: at Browns
Week 13: Bye
Week 14: vs. Chargers
Week 15: vs. Broncos
Week 16: vs. Titans
Week 17: at Cardinals
Week 18: at Chiefs
How Fernando Mendoza fits in the AFC West
Mendoza joins a stacked AFC West dominated by QB play. Mahomes might bring an MVP resume, but it’s also the Chargers with Justin Herbert and the Denver Broncos led by Bo Nix. Trying to find divisional wins will be difficult for Mendoza and the Raiders.
The reality of Las Vegas’ schedule is half of the weeks are against opponents who made the playoffs last year, including all four teams in both conference championship games. Mendoza will be tested immediately, which is encouraging for the Raiders and the future of the franchise.
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