The Las Vegas Raiders have been dealt a surprising blow for the 2026 season: zero primetime games. Despite the buzz surrounding the team's number one overall pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the NFL schedule makers have decided to keep the Silver and Black strictly in the daytime slot.

While game leaks have been trickling out all week, the Raiders' absence from the list was conspicuous. Now we know why. The team will play all 17 of their games on Sunday mornings or afternoons. No Thursday Night Football, no Sunday Night Football, no Monday Night Football, and no holiday or international matchups. Just a steady diet of standard Sunday games from start to finish.

This marks a dramatic shift for a franchise that has been a primetime staple for over 15 years. The last time the Raiders went an entire season without a marquee time slot, smartphones were just becoming mainstream, and the team was still playing in Oakland.

The only glimmer of hope for a primetime appearance lies in the season finale at Arrowhead Stadium. That game's date and time remain to be determined, meaning a potential flex could still put the Raiders under the lights. But it's a long shot.

The league's message seems clear: despite the excitement around Mendoza's arrival, the combination of him throwing to tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty bulldozing through defenses isn't considered must-see TV for a national audience.

On the bright side, Raiders fans can take solace in knowing none of their games will be relegated to a streaming-only platform. Every single matchup will be available on traditional broadcast television. So while the team may not be primetime-ready, at least they're accessible.