Versus: Top individual matchups we could see in Raiders' 2025 season

May 20, 2025 at 04:25 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

With the unveiling of the 2025 NFL schedule, the Las Vegas Raiders will have a few dates and opponents circled – which includes some fun individual matchups to get excited for on the calendar.

Yes, it's hard to predict. Only time will tell. These matchups are subject to change due to injuries or decisions that could be made by the time these games are played.

But for now, let's have some fun and dive into a few.

Week 3 at Washington Commanders

Brock Bowers vs. Jayden Daniels

The Raiders and Commanders faceoff comes off the heels of their 2024 first-round picks having a couple of the best rookie seasons in NFL history.

A year after winning the Heisman Trophy at LSU, Daniels played a pivotal role in turning the Commanders around. Washington went 4-13 the season before taking Daniels with No. 2 overall pick in the draft, with the quarterback leading them to a 12-5 record and their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991. He was voted Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl selection after throwing nearly 3,600 yards, 25 passing touchdowns and setting an NFL record for most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in a single season with 891.

The runner-up behind Daniels for Offensive Rookie of the Year broke a few NFL records himself. Brock Bowers, the No. 13 overall pick, took the league by storm at the tight end position, setting NFL records for receptions by a rookie (112) and receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,194). He was the only rookie in 2024 to be named First-Team All-Pro, and the fourth rookie tight end in NFL history to receive that honor.

While these two won't be directly lined up against each other, their success will be imperative in determining which team will be victorious. Daniels will have a new weapon in Deebo Samuel in addition to Terry McLaurin. The Raiders traded for Pro Bowler Geno Smith this offseason after Bowers caught passes from three different quarterbacks throughout his rookie season.

Related Links

Week 9 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jakobi Meyers and/or Jakorian Bennett vs. Travis Hunter

The Jaguars' No. 2 overall pick makes for a possible 2-for-1 matchup in Allegiant Stadium this November.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner notably shined at Colorado on both sides of the ball. The two-time All-American was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after securing four interceptions, 11 pass deflections and a forced fumble in 2024. He replicated his production as a cornerback at the receiver position, leading the Big 12 in receptions (96) and receiving touchdowns (15).

It's yet to be determined if Hunter will play one position exclusively for his new team, but the Jaguars are currently allowing him to play both cornerback and wide receiver this offseason. Therefore, the Raiders' top receiver and cornerback could potentially line up against the rookie.

Jakorian Bennett looks the part to be the team's leading cover man with Nate Hobbs leaving this offseason. Before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 10, Bennett was leading the team in pass deflections (eight) while allowing a 52.3 completion percentage in coverage and no touchdowns.

As for Hunter's responsibilities on defense, Meyers remains one of the Raiders' top offensive weapons coming off a career-high 87 receptions and 1,027 receiving yards in 2024.

Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday Night Football)

Maxx Crosby vs. Dak Prescott

Both of these players will be coming into this matchup, and this season in general, with something to prove.

The Raiders edge rusher and Cowboys quarterback both had their previous season come to an unfortunate end due to injuries. Prescott suffered a torn hamstring in Week 9, as the Cowboys went 4-5 in his absence to end the year. Crosby was leading the team in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (17) when a lingering ankle injury forced him out the final four games, the first time in Crosby's six-year career that he missed a game.

Getting these players healthy and back on the field is a necessity for each of these teams as they're both considered leaders and catalysts of their franchises. In 2023, Prescott led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record while leading the league in passing touchdowns (36) and pass completions (410). Dallas also recently traded for receiver George Pickens to place on the other side of All-Pro CeeDee Lamb.

Along with Crosby returning from injury, the Raiders are expecting to get back Malcolm Koonce, who missed the entirety of the 2024 season. The pass rushing tandem could make it a difficult day for Prescott in front of a national audience.

Week 15 at Philadelphia Eagles

Ashton Jeanty vs. Saquon Barkley

The present and future of the running back position are set to collide in this late-season matchup.

After getting a change of scenery from one NFC East team to another, Barkley took his game to unseen heights with the Philadelphia Eagles. He led the league in rushing yards, touches and total scrimmage yards, becoming the eight player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. His momentum, quite literally, carried into the postseason with nearly 500 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the Eagles' four playoffs games en route to becoming Super Bowl Champions.

The Raiders' 2025 first-round pick will have high expectations coming into the game considering what he accomplished at Boise State. He was less than 30 yards short of breaking Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season rushing record. Jeanty also recorded 29 rushing touchdowns. He excelled as a pass catcher, totaling 862 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in three seasons with the Broncos.

1 / 126

Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.