One way the NFL tries to promote parity is by managing schedules in a way that creates matchups between the best teams from one season to the next, but also as games in which the worst teams play against each other.

In other words, if you finished last in your division, you are guaranteed to play games against fellow division cellar dwellers across the league. The same is true for division winners and so on and so forth.

But even with the NFL trying to give breaks to its weaker teams, there’s no guarantee it happens. Which is why the Raiders, who finished tied for the worst record overall in the NFL last year, are playing one of the 10 toughest schedules in the league this year.

It’s all predicated on the win-loss percentages from the previous season.

It’s just the Raiders’ luck that, as part of the NFL’s rotational divisional match-up format, which is set years in advance, they lined up this year against the NFC West and AFC East. Those divisions boast five teams that made the playoffs, and of course, they will face their AFC West rival Broncos and Chargers twice each this year as well.

Both of those teams made the postseason as well.

In all, the rebuilding Raiders will play nine games against teams that made the playoffs last year.

That is a daunting task for a team under the leadership of new head coach Klint Kubiak and very likely playing a rookie quarterback in Fernando Mendoza for the bulk of the season.

It’s probably why the NFL opted against giving the Raiders a single prime-time game this year.

Here is a breakdown:

Three Toughest Games

Week 9 at 49ers

It’s been eight years since the Raiders played a regular-season game in the Bay Area, their former home. That will all change when they visit the 49ers in Santa Clara. It’s a game their former Northern California neighbors fought to keep in California, and it offers both franchises a chance to state their case to their fans in that region. Nevertheless, these teams are simply on different planes at the moment. Tough task for the Raiders against one of the best teams in the league.

Week 6 vs. Bills

It’s not just the challenge of facing Josh Allen and the perennially tough Bills. It’s also the rabid fanbase that follows them all over the country, and especially so to popular destinations. And make no mistake, Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium are at the very top of that list. So expect Bills Mafia to be present and accounted for in Vegas. It could feel like a road game.

Week 7 vs Rams

Can you believe this will be the Rams’ first-ever visit to Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium? It’s hard to believe, especially considering the role the Rams played in beating the Raiders out in Los Angeles, and forcing the Silver and Black to turn its attention to Las Vegas. Expect the Rams and their fans to make a big weekend out of it. Oh, and Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua, and former Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, will have a big say in things as well.

Three Easiest Games

Week 1 vs. Dolphins

As the Raiders contemplate when to start Mendoza, the first overall pick in the draft, it might help that they open the season against a Dolphins team expected to be among the worst in the NFL. And at home no less. Remember, Mendoza is a native of Miami, so this could line up to be the rookie’s debut and a real chance to get off to a fast start.

Week 12 at Browns

While neither team is expected to be playing for much at this point in the season, should Mendoza be under center, the Raiders will be looking to build on momentum for next season. There is something to be said about that kind of motivation. On the other hand, the Browns are in rebuild mode – again – and who knows who will be under center for them by Week 12?

Week 17 at Cardinals

The Cardinals will show up on a lot of these lists, and rightfully so. They are shaping up as one of the worst teams in the NFL. And at a point in the season when the Raiders hope to finish strong, and the Cardinals might be positioning themselves for the first pick in the draft, this could be easy pickings for the Silver and Black.

When’s the Bye?

The Raiders will go the bulk of the season before getting a break as their bye week won’t arrive until Week 13. That is a long way to go before a breather, especially for a team getting an early start to training camp because they made a head coaching change. Good thing they’ll be one of the youngest teams in the NFL.

Overall Takeaway

The Raiders have had an A+ offseason in free agency and the draft. Everything seems to be (finally) pointing in the right direction for them. Leaving room for Mendoza and Kubiak to orchestrate a similar quick turnaround to the ones the Texans and Commanders recently enjoyed, they likely aren’t ready to handle such a difficult schedule. It doesn’t mean theory won’t show progress, but it might not be reflected in wins and losses, considering the level of opponents they will face.

Prediction: 7-10