NFL Team Visits Would Highlight A Raiders’ Temporary Move To Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Oakland Raiders have been looking for a home for their 2019 season. KSL’s Unrivaled made the argument they should play in Utah. With the team’s announced opponents for the season just released, Salt Lake football fans would be excited to see nine NFL teams take the field in the Beehive State.

The NFL released all 32 teams’ opponents for each team for the 2019 season on Monday. The actual schedule with dates and times has not been released, but the teams now know who they will be playing in the regular season next year.

Most interestingly, the (now) Oakland Raiders know who they’ll be hosting in home games next season. What they don’t know is where they’ll be playing their home games.

“We have to add some pieces. We know that, and hopefully we can do that here soon.”

Looking ahead after 2018: https://t.co/MwgEfZD01G pic.twitter.com/UGy4a8qmKw

— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) December 31, 2018

Raiders Need To Find A Place To Play In 2019

In January 2017, the Raiders officially filed paperwork to move from Oakland to Las Vegas for the 2020 season. The move was approved with a 31-1 vote by the NFL owners in March 2017.

The Raiders’ ownership made the announcement with the intention of staying in Oakland for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

However, earlier this month, the city of Oakland filed a lawsuit against the team and the NFL in Federal court for preparing to make an “illegal move” to Las Vegas in 2020. The Northern California city has asked for damages to help pay off the $80 million remaining for renovations to the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum.

The team does not have a lease in place with the city, and all reports have indicated the Raiders will not play in Oakland in 2019.

The hosts of KSL’s Unrivaled radio show, Alex Kirry and Scott Mitchell, argued the Raiders should relocate to Salt Lake City, and play in the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium while they wait for their lavish new stadium in Las Vegas to be completed in 2020.

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MORE FROM KSL SPORTS:

• Raiders Should Move To Salt Lake For 2019 Season
• How Does SLC Stack Up Against Potential 2019 Homes For Raiders?
• Raiders Show ‘Interest’ In Playing In San Francisco In 2019
• Biggest Drawback In Raiders Came To Utah May Be Gruden

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Raiders’ Home Opponents Announced

Should the Raiders ownership decide to set up a temporary home in Salt Lake City, the home schedule could be quite interesting for potential fans in the Beehive State.

2019 opponents set for all 32 teams: https://t.co/XxBYppykhL pic.twitter.com/DMZLa6rxwU

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2018

The Raiders will only host seven home games next year as they will play one game internationally as the designated home team. Even though of the following opponents will meet the Raiders outside the United States, the remaining games should provide plenty of intrigue.

On the home docket for the Raiders are the Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Texans, Colts, Ravens, Packers and Vikings.

Five of those eight teams are playoff bound for the 2018 season, with the Broncos, Packers and Vikings being the three currently in off-season mode already.

The Raiders finished the 2018 season with a 4-12 record.

2019 Home Opponent Breakdown

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs, led by second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes, enjoyed a spectacular season in 2018. The finished the regular season with a 12-4 record and locked up the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.

Mahomes, who spent his first season as former Utah Utes star Alex Smith’s understudy, broke out as an NFL superstar in his first season as the Chiefs’ starter. He became just the third player in NFL history to throw for 50 passing touchdowns while also racking up 5,381 yards of offense.

The Chiefs are also coached by former BYU player and graduate assistant Andy Reid and feature former Cougar defensive back Daniel Sorensen on the field.

Denver Broncos

Like the Raiders, one of their AFC West foes, the Broncos suffered a rough season in 2018 with a 6-10 final record. It was announced on Monday that they had fired head coach Vance Joseph.

We see you Tim Patrick! @Tpstreets #BroncosCountry #DENvsOAK pic.twitter.com/Eyhu1Y7vu2

— Armchair NFL (@ArmchairNFL) December 25, 2018

In local interest, the team carries three former Utah stars; offensive lineman Garret Bolles, wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Devontae Booker.

Los Angeles Chargers

Like the Chiefs, the Chargers also had a terrific regular season with a a 12-4 record. Longtime quarterback Philip Rivers had a great season and will be considered an MVP candidate come time for voting.

Due to Kansas City holding the tiebreaker, the Chargers were bumped down to the No. 5 seed, and will travel to face former Ute Eric Weddle and the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.

We see you Tim Patrick! @Tpstreets #BroncosCountry #DENvsOAK pic.twitter.com/Eyhu1Y7vu2

— Armchair NFL (@ArmchairNFL) December 25, 2018

Former BYU Cougar Michael Davis is one of the Chargers’ starting defensive backs.

Houston Texans

Led by second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans finished with a 11-5 record and a AFC South division title.

While their roster doesn’t feature any players with Beehive State connections, the Texans’ most recognizable player is probably defensive lineman JJ Watt, who is known for his strong play and extreme generosity off the field.

Houston will meet the Colts in the first round of the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts started the year on a low note with a 1-5 record out the gates. They recovered nicely though, behind probable NFL Comeback Player of the Year, quarterback Andrew Luck and finished with a 10-6 record to make the playoffs.

They will travel to face division foe, Houston, in the first round of the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens

Anchored by former Utah standout Eric Weddle on the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens switched quarterbacks midway through the season and rode former Heisman Trophy award winner Lamar Jackson to the AFC North division title and a berth in the playoffs.

Eric Weddle: “Nothing can get in the way of us having a chance.” pic.twitter.com/tl93oV033W

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 31, 2018

Baltimore will host the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers were arguably one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season with a final record of 6-9-1. They fired head coach Mike McCarthy midway through the year, due to his inability to capitalize on having future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers under center.

Jamaal Williams with the second effort and the TD! pic.twitter.com/Yelqm4rXou

— Cougs in the Pros (@BYUpros) December 23, 2018

The Packers also have former BYU great Jamaal Williams on the squad as part of their running back platoon.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were also a disappointment this season after a strong 2017 season. They finished with an 8-7-1 record and missed the playoffs.

Minnesota doesn’t have any players with Utah ties on the team but former Ute running back Matt Asiata was a mainstay on the roster for several years.

Utah fans would enjoy the passion of Vikings fans, who are known for donning purple face paint and playing viking horns during the action.