2018 Oakland Raiders Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info

After a disappointing 6-10 record last season, the Oakland Raiders handed the keys to their car back to Jon Gruden as head coach to bring them back to prominence in the AFC West. 

The Raiders appeared to turn their franchise around in 2016, winning 12 games and making the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. They were led by a core of young talent like quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper and linebacker Khalil Mack. 

With that trio still in place, Gruden will attempt to get them back on track in what looks to be a wide-open division. The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos are breaking in new quarterbacks, and the Los Angeles Chargers have a habit of getting in their own way. 

Looking at the Raiders' hopes in 2018, here is the schedule they will face on their journey to get back to the postseason, per NFL.com.

Raiders' 2018 Schedule

Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 at 10:20 p.m. ET on ESPN

Week 2: at Denver Broncos on Sept. 16 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns on Sept. 30 at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 5: at Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 7 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: vs. Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 28 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 1 at 8:20 p.m. ET on Fox/NFL Network

Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 11 at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 11: at Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 18 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 12: at Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 2 at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos on Dec. 24 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Analysis 

Gruden made some notable roster changes and additions to the offense that he hopes will get the Raiders back to their 2016 level. 

The biggest change was replacing Michael Crabtree, who was released in March, with Jordy Nelson. At 32 years old, Nelson is coming off his least productive season since 2009. His 9.1 yards per reception were the lowest of his career, though all six of his touchdowns came in the first five weeks when Aaron Rodgers was healthy.

If Nelson is able to draw attention on one side of the field, it will help Cooper get back on track. The two-time Pro Bowler was a mess in 2017 with career lows in targets (96), receptions (48) and receiving yards (680). 

Doug Martin is joining Marshawn Lynch in Oakland's stable of running backs. Lynch had a successful return last season with 891 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. 

Defensively, finding support for Mack will be critical for the Raiders. The secondary, in particular, was a disaster for them last season. 

"Oakland allowed an NFL-worst 17.8 yards per attempt on throws at least 20 yards downfield last year, with opponents completing 47 percent of such throws for nine TDs and no interceptions on those plays," per ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez. 

Adding Marcus Gilchrist and Leon Hall in free agency gave the Raiders more depth, but the real impact will come from whatever they do in the draft. 

Pivotal Matchups

The AFC West hasn't been kind to the Raiders over the years. Even when they went 12-4 in 2016, their record in the division was just 3-3. 

With six games against the Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers, the only way for the Raiders to establish themselves as a true threat in the division is to at least post a winning record in those contests.

Based on last year's records, the Raiders are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the third-easiest strength of schedule in 2018. Their non-division opponents include teams from the AFC North and NFC West. 

The Raiders have the luxury of playing two Super Bowl contenders at home when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams come to the Coliseum. 

A good measuring stick game for both teams will be the Raiders traveling to Levi's Stadium for a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. 

The 49ers are trending upward thanks in large part to the presence of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The Raiders feel like a team that could break out of the pack to win 10 or 11 games if Carr and Cooper play up to their potential and the defense shows any signs of progress.