Some games have already been played week 17, including three games on Wednesday and Thursday and three which were flexed to Saturday.
Of the three Saturday games, only one went the way the Raiders would have wanted — the Bengals beat the Broncos. But the other two weren’t great for the Raiders. The Chargers put a beatdown on the lowly Patriots and the Rams beat the Cardinals. You want the Patriots to get a win and the Chargers to lose for strength of schedule reasons. You want the Rams to lose for the same reason.
Those game results actually raised the Raiders Strength of Schedule from .544 to .547, keeping them at sixth in the draft order.
The Raiders game will be Sunday in New Orleans, but that’s not the only game Raiders fans should be focusing on Sunday.
Here are the other games Raiders fans should feel some kind of way about because they could affect where the Raiders end up selecting atop the 2025 NFL Draft.
Colts vs Giants
Root for: Giants
The Giants (2-13) are the only team with a worse record than the Raiders (3-12) and they are also the only team currently in the top six projected draft order with a higher Strength of Schedule. Which means if they win, they would drop out of the projected top spot and all the way to six, behin the Raiders.
Odds: Colts -7.5
News: Colts starting QB Anthony Richardson has been ruled OUT for the game, which would seem to give the Giants a chance. He will be replaced by 39-year-old Joe Flacco.
NY Jets vs Bills
Root for: NY Jets
The Jets are sitting at 4-11 on the season, which means if they lose this week and the Raiders beat the Saints, the Jets will be in line for a higher pick. While a win by the Jets would lower their pick in the third round which the Raiders own, the top of the draft is far more important. Not that is matters much because the Jets would figure to have a snowball chance in Hell of taking out the Bills in Buffalo.
Odds: Bills -10
Panthers vs Buccaneers
Root for: Panthers
The interest here could be two-fold. What you get with a Panthers win would be the Panthers’ fifth win, which moves them out of the way in case the Raiders pick up their fourth win. It also could offer the Panthers confidence enough in Bryce Young to stick with him next season and thus remove them from those teams vying for a QB this offseason.
Odds: Buccaneers -8
Titans vs Jaguars
Root for: Titans
This one is kind of good for the Raiders either way. But better for them if the Titans win. Both teams have three wins, so whichever wins the game, would drop out of the top five in the draft order where both teams currently sit. However, the Titans will be in the market for a quarterback and the Jaguars will not be. For that reason alone, it’s in the Raiders interest not to have them ahead of them in the draft order and a win could do that. It carries the bonus of lowering the Raiders SOS and raising the Jaguars’.
Odds: Titans -1
Dolphins vs Browns
Root for: Browns
The Browns have the same record as the Raiders right now and present a major threat to them in terms of their QB needs. Deshaun Watson has been a huge bust there and they will be looking to protect their interests this season.
Odds: Dolphins -3
News: Tua Tagovailoa is Doubtful for the game, which means Tyler Huntley is expected to start for the Dolphins, giving the Browns a shot at the upset. Especially with the game in Cleveland.
Falcons vs Commanders
Root for: Commanders
The Raiders faced the Falcons this season. They have not faced the Commanders. for that reason a Commanders win would lower the Raiders SOS. It would also raise the SOS of the Giants, Browns, Bears, and Titans.
Odds: Commanders -3.5
