2026 NFL Schedule and early leaks

[Rabidraider]

The NFL will reveal the full schedule for the 2026 season on Thursday night, but they have announced one marquee Week 1 game on Monday.

The first Sunday Night Football matchup of the season will see the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to face the Giants on NBC on September 13. It will be the eighth time in 15 seasons that the two NFC East clubs have faced each other in Week 1.

[GoodTimeCharlie]

NFL likes money. I think we can all agree on that. So when does it make the most sense to get the Raiders on prime time? We know already the NFL can flex a game in-season with certain rules. For a Raider game to be flexed, gotta imagine it will require Mendoza starting.

Here’s when the NFL can start flexing games:
Sunday Night Football starting Week 5.
Monday Night Football starting Week 12.
Thursday Night Football starting Week 13.

There’s a lot of other nitty-gritty tidbits like how much notice the NFL has to give and networks can block the moves etc.

Let’s say Mendoza starts, when does the story become too juicy to pass up?

Week 5, Mendoza vs Maye. NFL’s future. Too early.
Week 8, Mendoza/Raiders vs Geno/Jets. Pretty good.
Week 10, Mendoza/Kubiak vs Seahawks. Interesting.
Week 11, Mendoza/Raiders vs Nix/Broncos. Maybe.
Week 15, See Week 11.
Week 16, Mendoza vs Ward. Last 2 1st Rnd QB’s.

If Mendoza is starting, I don’t think the NFL misses out on putting him front and center at some point. Raiders have a massive fan base, and so does Mendoza with or without the Raiders. He’s also the safest, cleanest, most wholesome image in the NFL. A primetime game is inevitable. I’d lay bets on Week 8 and 16 being too damn juicy to pass up IF Mendoza is the starter.

[Attyla]

I'm not trying to push a narrative, asshole. I'm just heated that there hasn't been a reason to watch the team really until now, and they get snubbed... It's ok to be upset about that.

and again, gematria is very real and relevant in all sports. its honestly not my fault your blind ass can't see it, nor understand it. it really isn't... maybe its your "know it all" attitude. give that shit a rest sometime and maybe you will learn something instead of looking like a douche bag 24/7...

No, you absolutely are pushing a narrative. And did you notice I did not resort to calling you an asshole? I can debate without resorting to such low level tactics. You are just bent because we did not get a prime time game and you feel entitled to one. Well guess what, your entitlement means exactly dick

[BoKnows81]

I don't believe in the "league is out to get the Raiders" nonsense but it is absolutely horseshit that they dont have one primetime game. And the reason of them "sucking" is ridiculous. They were 4-13 in 2024 and had 3 primetime games in 2025. 3-14 in 2025 BUT new up and coming head coach, #1 pick, who just so happens to be a franchise QB, and a hell of an offseason should of gotten them AT LEAST one. Absolute nonsense IMO, especially since we know Cousins isnt lasting more than a few games as starter, if any.

[Hellbound]

Lol at people getting upset that a bottom of the barrel franchise isn't getting a prime time game. I didn't see anyone caring about Tennessee not getting one last year

[BoKnows81]

Lol at people getting upset that a bottom of the barrel franchise isn't getting a prime time game. I didn't see anyone caring about Tennessee not getting one last year

The last time the Raiders didn't have a primetime game was 15 years ago. We have been a bottom of the barrel franchise for 15 years plus. Make it make sense. And who gives a shit about the Titans. They are an irrelevant franchise that nobody wants to watch.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

I don't believe in the "league is out to get the Raiders" nonsense but it is absolutely horseshit that they dont have one primetime game. And the reason of them "sucking" is ridiculous. They were 4-13 in 2024 and had 3 primetime games in 2025. 3-14 in 2025 BUT new up and coming head coach, #1 pick, who just so happens to be a franchise QB, and a hell of an offseason should of gotten them AT LEAST one. Absolute nonsense IMO, especially since we know Cousins isnt lasting more than a few games as starter, if any.

So why do you think we don't have one?

[BoKnows81]

So why do you think we don't have one?

Good question. 1st time in 15 years.

[chucker]

I think the NFL probably should give every team a prime time game so that fans of every team get a chance to see their team on TV wherever they are. But I get every game on my streaming service so it doesn't affect me personally and I'm not insulted by the prime time snub. I find the schedule release to be a pretty big nothingburger overall. Maybe I'll care more in a future year when I'm hopefully looking at the schedule as the road to a SB instead of as a precursor to the following season.

[tatalalicious]

Lol at people getting upset that a bottom of the barrel franchise isn't getting a prime time game. I didn't see anyone caring about Tennessee not getting one last year

Not everyone is "upset" about there not being a prime time Raider game, I know I'm not. But its fine to call bs on this "only good teams play in prime time" suggestion being made by the NFL in that clip. You only have to look at how many prime time games the Raiders have had recently to know its a phony rational. You're right nobody said anything here about Tennessee probably because nobody even knew as this board generally doesn't care what's going with others teams schedules. Lol.

[FLORIDARAYDAH]

Not everyone is "upset" about there not being a prime time Raider game, I know I'm not. But its fine to call bs on this "only good teams play in prime time" suggestion being made by the NFL in that clip. You only have to look at how many prime time games the Raiders have had recently to know its a phony rational. You're right nobody said anything here about Tennessee probably because nobody even knew as this board generally doesn't care what's going with others teams schedules. Lol.

Nobody said anyone cares about the Titans. It was only brought up because someone claimed it never happens with a #1 QB and it happened last year. And it's not the only time

[Hellbound]

The last time the Raiders didn't have a primetime game was 15 years ago. We have been a bottom of the barrel franchise for 15 years plus. Make it make sense. And who gives a shit about the Titans. They are an irrelevant franchise that nobody wants to watch.

Unfortunately Tennessee is totally relevant in this discussion as they had a similar scenario last year. Again take the Fandom and your emotions out of it, not many people want to watch the Raiders either. This franchise is a running joke of the NFL. Several of those years we had only had one prime time game
Is it really that big of a deal if we miss out on one prime time game this year? Is that primetime game going to make the team better? Is it that one game going to put the franchise over the hump all because it was played on a different day or on a Sunday night? If you said yes to any of those questions, then you need to get a grip

For those reasons I'm failing to see why people are upset that there's not a prime time game

[tatalalicious]

I think the NFL probably should give every team a prime time game so that fans of every team get a chance to see their team on TV wherever they are. But I get every game on my streaming service so it doesn't affect me personally and I'm not insulted by the prime time snub. I find the schedule release to be a pretty big nothingburger overall. Maybe I'll care more in a future year when I'm hopefully looking at the schedule as the road to a SB instead of as a precursor to the following season.

I dont know the real reason why they made the decision this year concerning the Raiders but it is what it is. I know for sure that no matter how bad the Cowboys are in a given year they'll be playing in prime time. Being a "good" nfl team and a being a popular nfl team is not mutually inclusive.

[mstrbass2000]

NFL likes money. I think we can all agree on that. So when does it make the most sense to get the Raiders on prime time? We know already the NFL can flex a game in-season with certain rules. For a Raider game to be flexed, gotta imagine it will require Mendoza starting.

Here’s when the NFL can start flexing games:
Sunday Night Football starting Week 5.
Monday Night Football starting Week 12.
Thursday Night Football starting Week 13.

There’s a lot of other nitty-gritty tidbits like how much notice the NFL has to give and networks can block the moves etc.

Let’s say Mendoza starts, when does the story become too juicy to pass up?

Week 5, Mendoza vs Maye. NFL’s future. Too early.
Week 8, Mendoza/Raiders vs Geno/Jets. Pretty good.
Week 10, Mendoza/Kubiak vs Seahawks. Interesting.
Week 11, Mendoza/Raiders vs Nix/Broncos. Maybe.
Week 15, See Week 11.
Week 16, Mendoza vs Ward. Last 2 1st Rnd QB’s.

If Mendoza is starting, I don’t think the NFL misses out on putting him front and center at some point. Raiders have a massive fan base, and so does Mendoza with or without the Raiders. He’s also the safest, cleanest, most wholesome image in the NFL. A primetime game is inevitable. I’d lay bets on Week 8 and 16 being too damn juicy to pass up IF Mendoza is the starter.

i can see that happening but only if we have a winning record at the time or are contending for the playoffs ...the n.f.l wont flex us in a game if we suck and are bringing in fernando to replace kurt

[mstrbass2000]

No, you absolutely are pushing a narrative. And did you notice I did not resort to calling you an asshole? I can debate without resorting to such low level tactics. You are just bent because we did not get a prime time game and you feel entitled to one. Well guess what, your entitlement means exactly dick

personally i dont give a rats ass about primetime games...i just wanna show major improvement this yr and then make a move next yr...the raiders are making plenty of money as is with the leagues highest ticket prices and we already the gear sells a shit ton no matter if we suck or not

[mstrbass2000]

I don't believe in the "league is out to get the Raiders" nonsense but it is absolutely horseshit that they dont have one primetime game. And the reason of them "sucking" is ridiculous. They were 4-13 in 2024 and had 3 primetime games in 2025. 3-14 in 2025 BUT new up and coming head coach, #1 pick, who just so happens to be a franchise QB, and a hell of an offseason should of gotten them AT LEAST one. Absolute nonsense IMO, especially since we know Cousins isnt lasting more than a few games as starter, if any.

doesn't that prove the league is doing it randomly ??? we had 3 primetime games last yr and zero this yr, maybe it could be the league has stats on those primetime games and they were lower for raiders games vs then others when compared and that why zero this yr ??? its a business and the league wants the most eyeballs for primetime