“Revenge Game” has become a funny, if overly dramatic term in NFL parlance.
So many players play for multiple teams these days (especially since player rotations are more common than in the past). So the revenge factor is less important than many people think. Still, there will be plenty of reunion games with the Las Vegas Raiders this season. Whether you want to call the games Revenge or Goodbye, let’s take a look at some of these pairings:
Charger11 Sept and 4 Dec:
I doubt Khalil Mack is still looking for revenge on the Raiders. It’s been four years since he was traded from Oakland to the Chicago Bears. Jon Gruden, who made the decision to move away from Mack during a contract smack, is no longer with the Raiders, and Mack has played against the Raiders twice as a member of the Bears. Now that he’s joined AFC West, Mack will likely still enjoy playing the Raiders twice a season. Mack won’t be the only pass rusher in a reunion game of this Raiders-Chargers series this season. New raider Kyler Fackrell was a Charger last season.
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Cardinals, September 18:
Arizona center Rodney Hudson will likely be hot for this game. Yes, it was the previous regime that swapped him in 2021. Still, it will be Hudson’s first game against the team he’s been a big part of for six seasons.
Titans, September 25:
New Raiders linebacker Jayon Brown spent his first five NFL seasons in Tennessee, starting in 39 games for the Titans.
Broncos, Oct 2 and Nov 20
Cheering for new Las Vegas Special Teams coach Tom McMahon. He was part of Vic Fangio’s staff, who was sacked after last season. He also has former Broncos, linebacker Micah Kiser and Kenny Young on the Raiders roster.
Chiefs, October 10th and week 18
Former Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson will try to burn his former team twice in the 2022 season.
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Saints, Oct. 30:
Former Raiders coach Dennis Allen, who was fired in 2014, will surely be ready for this game in his first season with the head coach in New Orleans.
Jaguars, Nov 6:
Zay Jones can’t be mad at the Raiders. He had 47 catches in 2021 and converted them into a three-year, $24 million deal with the Jags.
Colts, November 13
That will be fun. Yannick Ngakoue – who traded from the Raiders to the Colts for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin this offseason – is on record and says he will make the Raiders pay for treating him. There will be a storyline all week before the game. Former Raiders defense coordinator Gus Bradley is also in Indianapolis. Ya-Sin will also be ready.
SeahawksNov 27
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who was solid for the Raiders in 2021, is in Seattle.
Rams, December 8th
Former Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson will be happy to face off against his former players in a matchup Thursday night.
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Patriots, December 18th
There are all kinds of reunions here, including coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler versus Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Several members of the coaching staff and several players, including running back Brandon Bolden and full-back Jakob Johnson, will compete against their former squad in silver and black.