Ranking potential opponents for Raiders’ opener in Las Vegas

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 2 a.m.

The NFL is set to announce its 2020 schedules on Thursday, and while we don't know whether the season will start on time or whether COVID-19 will prevent spectators from attending games, Las Vegas fans will immediately look to see which team is slated to come to town for the opening of Allegiant Stadium. We’ve long known which eight teams will make up the Raiders’ home opponents this season, but choosing the right one for the big day will be crucial.

There should be a method to the madness of selecting the ideal matchup for the Raiders’ first game in Las Vegas. First and foremost, it shouldn’t be a team that will pull focus from the Raiders’ first home game in Las Vegas or the opening of the league’s newest gem of a stadium. Tampa Bay would be a bad choice for that reason, as Tom Brady’s first game with the Buccaneers would overshadow any Raiders-related storylines.

So who should be Las Vegas’ first home opponent? Using all the scientific criteria, let’s rank the candidates from most to least appealing:

1. New Orleans Saints

2019 record: 13-3

Playoffs: Lost in wildcard round

New Orleans presents the best all-around package of any potential opponent. The Saints have star power in the form of quarterback Drew Brees, receiver Michael Thomas and coach Sean Payton, they have an exciting offense and they’re viewed as a contender. And yet the Saints have enough consistency and continuity to be “boring,” meaning they won’t steal any of Las Vegas’ shine. The Raiders will get to be center stage leading up to the big day, and then once it kicks off the fans will be able to settle in for an intriguing football game.

2. Denver Broncos

2019 record: 7-9

Playoffs: None

It may not be ideal to face such a heated rival in the opener because there should be a celebratory vibe in the building, and the weight of a divisional matchup will hover over the game in a way that could be jarring after the pregame concerts, laser shows and all the other bells and whistles. But there’s also something appealing about starting off the Las Vegas era with a meaningful game in which the players’ and fans’ emotions will run high. True Raiders fans would undoubtedly lick their chops at the opportunity to christen the new stadium with a win over the Broncos.

3. Buffalo Bills

2019 record: 10-6

Playoffs: Lost in wildcard round

The Bills have the same “good team, neutral opponent” combination that makes the Saints a strong choice for the opener, but Buffalo lacks the star power. This would make for a good, quality game, however, and it might even end up having playoff implications 17 weeks later if Las Vegas and Buffalo are jostling for playoff positioning.

4. Miami Dolphins

2019 record: 5-11

Playoffs: None

This is as neutral an opponent as the Raiders will play this year (unless you’re a longtime fan who still harbors some hatred from the teams’ playoff meetings in the 1970s). Miami would also give the Raiders their best chance of winning the opener, and the prospect of breaking in Allegiant with a victory is enticing.

5. Indianapolis Colts

2019 record: 7-9

Playoffs: None

How about Philip Rivers leading a middle-of-the-pack Colts team into town for the first NFL game in Las Vegas history? It’s not super exciting, but it would make for a nice, solid B-storyline leading up to the game.

6. Los Angeles Chargers

2019 record: 5-11

Playoffs: None

The Chargers are rebuilding, so Las Vegas would have a good chance to winning this game. And the Chargers are boring, which should be a good thing under these circumstances. But they’re just a little too boring. (Told you this was a scientific endeavor.) Despite the AFC West angle, this contest would have almost no pop. There’s gotta be at least a little sizzle, and the Chargers don’t provide that.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2019: 7-9

Playoffs: None

Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady Tom Brady. That’s what the lead-up to the game would sound like from the perspective of the national media. After the people of Las Vegas shelled out $750 million to build Allegiant stadium and attract their very own NFL team, they deserve a little love, but Vegas will take a decided backseat to all the Brady-related stories if the Bucs are the opener opponent. Tampa Bay’s first game can stand alone and be a huge event on its own — there’s no need to burn both Brady’s Tampa debut and the Raiders’ Vegas debut at the same time. Las Vegas deserves its moment.

8. Kansas City Chiefs

2019 record: 12-4

Playoffs: Super Bowl champions

The NFL likes to kick off the season by putting the defending champions at home for a Thursday night game (the league bypassed that setup last year in favor of a Bears-Packers game to celebrate the NFL’s 100^th year). That means the Chiefs likely can’t come to Las Vegas until Week 2, so in order for this matchup to happen the Raiders would also have to open on the road, putting the Allegiant debut in Week 2. That just doesn’t seem right, and that's why the Chiefs are at the bottom of this list.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.