Oakland Raiders: Ranking 2018 games from least to most difficult

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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 09: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass down field during the first half against the Houston Texans on August 9, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs (8)

The Chiefs are always a tough out for the Raiders. In recent seasons, Kansas City has utterly dominated the match up, winning something like 100 out of the last 101 or something.

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For whatever reason, Kansas City is a huge mental stumbling block for Oakland.

The Chiefs are going to be in for an up and down year with Patrick Mahomes taking over for the traded Alex Smith. And so far this preseason, Mahomes has flashed some ability and a cannon for an arm, but he’s also shown a tremendous amount of inconsistency.

If the Raiders are going to get this monkey off their collective backs, and finally figure out how to beat the Chiefs, now would be the time.

Of course, it’s not going to be easy. Kansas City went out and got speedster Sammy Watkins to team up with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, giving the Chiefs a nasty one-two-three receiving punch. And with Kareem Hunt leading a tough, powerful running game, Oakland’s defense is going to have their hands full all game long.

Let’s just hope they’re better up to the task under Paul Guenther than they ever were under Ken Norton Jr.

BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Week 12: @Baltimore Ravens (7)

This will mark the fourth time in four years that these two teams square off. The Raiders have won two of the last three, but Baltimore put a beatdown on Oakland last season, 30-17.

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 17: Michael Crabtree #15 of the Oakland Raiders makes a catch for a two-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

This will mark the first time that Michael Crabtree will see his old team, after being uncermoniously dumped this offseason. So, you know he’s going to want to have a big, big game. Crabtree is most definitely going to want to rub it in their faces, so look for him to try and have a big game.

Joe Flacco also has a fire under him, with him reportedly being upset about the drafting of Lamar Jackson in the first round this year.

The Ravens have given him a few new weapons to work with in John Brown and Willie Snead, totally overhauling their receivers group.

Defensively, you know Baltimore’s going to be tough. They’re always tough. Offensively though, given that the Ravens don’t have much of a running game to speak of, and some question marks on that offensive line, the Raiders may be able to take advantage of it enough, to make four of five.

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