Key Momentum Factor Could Decide Raiders' 2026 Season

The Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 season is likely to be affected by their ability to generate momentum in this way.

Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) before the game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 season will be determined by the runs they will go on.

Raiders Will Go on Runs

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) carries the ball against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Raiders have several tough stretches on their 2026 schedule. They also have opportunities to soften the blow of some of those challenging stretches. Although they face the likes of the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams, they also have manageable games.

Bad Runs

Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) makes a tackle on Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Raiders' schedule includes several sets of games that could negatively impact their season. Most notably, Las Vegas faces the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams in consecutive weeks early in the season. That could very well be a 0-3 or 1-2 stretch for Las Vegas.

They get a road matchup against the New York Jets following their matchup against the Rams. However, the Raiders are not yet good enough to say how difficult the Jets game will be. They then face the San Francisco 49ers on the road and the Seattle Seahawks at home.

Feb 10, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak (left) and general manager John Spytek at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Raiders will then face the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns in consecutive weeks, before heading into their Bye Week. Both of those games will be on the road. That is a brutal eight-game stretch early in its first season under head coach Klint Kubiak, with plenty of other new pieces.

Those eight games could see the Raiders lose consecutive games multiple times. Las Vegas' schedule will prove it is a long, 17-game season, as they will have both positive and negative runs at different points.

Good Runs

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It is hard to find many positives from having one of the most difficult schedules in the league. However, the Raiders have a chance to go on a few positive runs of their own. The Raiders' first four games are very winnable. They have a chance to start off strong before things get difficult.

Las Vegas starts the season with a Week 1 home matchup against the Miami Dolphins and two consecutive away games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the New Orleans Saints. Their fourth game of the season will be against the Kansas City Chiefs, minus Patrick Mahomes.

Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

It would be unreasonable to expect the new-look Raiders to start the season 4-0, but they do have four very winnable games early in the season. Even if they only win two of those games, especially if they are the two AFC West matchups, Las Vegas would be in a position to withstand the next eight games.

A potential 2-2 start would give them breathing room over the next eight games. A win against the Jets would give them three wins. They had three wins all of last season. As challenging as their schedule may be, they have a chance to finish with more wins than they have in a while.

Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (right) and general manager John Spytek at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Even at 3-7, with potential losses to the Patriots, Rams, Bills, 49ers, and Seahawks, they could split their two games before the Bye Week against the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns, entering the Bye Week at 4-8. That would tie the most wins they have had in the past two seasons.

They would enter their Bye Week at 4-8, with five games remaining, three of which are at home in consecutive weeks. Of those five games, three are AFC West games, two of which are at home. The final five games of the season give the Raiders a chance to end the season on a run.

May 2, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs through a drill during a Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Raiders could win two, three, or four of those last five games and end the season with upwards of seven or eight wins and potentially push for a Wild Card spot. Think about that. Looking at the Raiders' schedule, they could see a stretch of five or six losses in an eight-week span.

However, they could also start and end the season on a run and potentially push for a Wild Card spot. It is not out of the question that they can beat the Dolphins, Saints, Jets, Cardinals, Titans, a Mahomes-less Chiefs, the Browns, and steal a win or two elsewhere on the schedule.