Ranking The Best Games To Go See in Las Vegas This Season
May 13, 2021, 10:59 AM | Updated: 11:28 am
CREDIT: DAVID BECKER/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK
The first time it was even mentioned that the Raiders could move to Las Vegas many began to immediately envision a weekend trip to Vegas to see the Silver and Black.
COVID-19 took that opportunity away last year but 2021 should be good to go. What are the best games on the Las Vegas Raiders schedule to plan that weekend getaway?
Here is our list, ranking the 9 home games in order from best to worst.
1. Baltimore Ravens: This one lands in the top spot for a couple of reasons. What makes this a must see is that it is the first ever game in the new stadium with fans. History is always on the side of a list like this. Also, the game is Monday night and that makes the trip to Vegas even better. Arrive on a Friday night or Saturday morning. Take in the NFL’s opening Sunday from your favorite spot in Vegas and then the lead up all day to the Monday night opener vs. Baltimore in Vegas makes this the top-rated game.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: This game has too much history to ignore. The Raiders and Chiefs don’t like each other and the Chiefs are one of the favorites to win the whole thing again. The Raiders split the season series last year and getting to see Patrick Mahomes in person is a nice boost. Combine all those things along with the fact that this is a Sunday night game and that makes for a trip that nearly made it the top pick but instead is a close second.
3. Denver Broncos: Division rivalry at its best. Denver and the Raiders history can’t be ignored. The intrigue of the scheduling of this game is that it is on Sunday December 26th. This is a bit tricky because it is the day after Christmas but thinking outside the box, maybe Vegas for Christmas could be great. Having never experienced this one, I am not sure, but it is the Raiders and Broncos in Vegas even Santa will check it out.
4. Los Angeles Chargers: Week 18, that’s right week 18 of the NFL season. The two teams could be out of it, they could be playing for everything, who knows. Since it is an afternoon game on week 18, the rest of the day could be fun watching the other games play out for playoff positioning. This too has a storied rivalry from Oakland and San Diego and now beginning their next phase as Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
5. Chicago Bears: This week 5 afternoon home game is in early October. Vegas should be cooling off temperature wise and the Chicago Bears are in town. This means a game against Khalil Mack and quite possibly rookie quarterback Justin Fields could be in the mix by then. The Bears have a national following and you can probably expect a decent amount of fans who support Chicago at the game which brings a good vibe to the stadium.
6. Washington Football Team: They made the playoffs last year mainly because someone had to from the NFC East. They do have an awesome defensive front but this is about when this game is occurring and the “trip” factor. This is Sunday December 5th.
Saturday, December 4th is a good weekend of college football with conference championships taking place. Saturday would be a good college football sports book day and then Sunday at the stadium for Las Vegas and Washington.
7. Miami Dolphins: This game comes in the 7th spot. It lands here because it should be behind the division rivals and the first game ever with fans. Miami seems to be improving every year and could shoot up this list before long. It is played in week 3 so factoring that in we don’t know how good the Dolphins will actually be. With so much attention on the other games this could be a good one to get too. You could say you were at the second ever game in Las Vegas with fans.
8. Philadelphia Eagles: The former Super Bowl winners are feeling far removed from that title just a few years ago. Philadelphia is going through a coach and quarterback change. These two teams played in Super Bowl XV back in 1981 but that is also far too removed to have any true connection. It will feel like another game but in the NFL you never know this could be the best game of the season which is why the sport is so great.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Someone had to bring up the rear on this list. The Bengals fall in place here. It is week 11 and it follows the emotional week 10 Sunday night matchup with the Chiefs and is just a few days before the road Thanksgiving matchup against the Cowboys in Dallas. This is a tough game based on the schedule. It is also a tough “plan a trip” to Vegas game because of the lack of star power with the Bengals. Cincinnati is building but not there yet. For those of you that just want to get to a game, this could be your trip as the other games have more sizzle.
