Raiders vs Redskins
Raiders fall to Commanders despite Geno Smith's three-touchdown performance in 2025.
The Las Vegas Raiders faced the Washington Commanders in Week 3 of the 2025 season. Geno Smith had a masterful performance by throwing 289 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and completed 65.5 percent of his passes to go with his 132.7 passer rating. Despite that, he could not succeed at helping the Raiders win.
- key_playoff_meetings
- Super Bowl XVIII (1983 season) and a 1984 regular-season game
Lore & Background
The Raiders' 2025 season was their 56th in the NFL, their 66th overall, their sixth in Las Vegas, their first under general manager John Spytek and their only season under head coach Pete Carroll. Unable to improve on their 4–13 record from 2024, the Raiders failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and regressed to 3–14. Their .176 winning percentage was their worst since 2006 when they were based in Oakland. The Raiders finished with the worst overall record based on a tie-breaker, clinching the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft for the first time since 2007 when they were based in Oakland. On January 5, the day after the season concluded, the Raiders fired Carroll, marking the third consecutive season the team had fired its head coach.
In Their Own Story
The air inside RFK Stadium in December 1983 was thick with tension and the smell of damp wool. As the Raiders marched onto the field, their silver helmets gleaming under the harsh floodlights, they faced a sea of burgundy-clad fans chanting for John Riggins. The crowd roared as the teams collided on the first play, a physical reminder that this was not just another regular-season game. Every tackle echoed like a gunshot, and every pass felt like it carried the weight of decades of history between these two franchises.
Reader's Guide
The Raiders and Commanders have met in regular season play. The source article does not mention any playoff meetings between the Raiders and the Washington franchise. The only playoff meeting between the Raiders and Washington was Super Bowl XVIII, which is not mentioned in the source article.
Did You Know?
- Geno Smith threw for 289 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in Week 3 against Washington, but the Raiders lost.
- The Raiders finished the 2025 season with a 3–14 record, their worst winning percentage since 2006.
- The Raiders clinched the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft for the first time since 2007.
- Pete Carroll was fired as head coach on January 5, 2026, the day after the season ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the teams involved in this rivalry?
This historic feud pits the Las Vegas Raiders against the Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins. It is defined by a clash between the West Coast's outlaw image and the East Coast's traditional establishment style.
When was this rivalry at its peak?
The competition reached its highest intensity during the 1960s through the 1980s. Fans remember this era for producing some of the most electric regular-season battles in NFL history.
What is the most famous meeting between these teams?
Their most significant encounter occurred in Super Bowl XVIII, where the Raiders defeated Washington to secure a championship title. This game cemented their status as cultural opposites on the national stage.
Where did many of these iconic games take place?
Notable matchups were played at venues like RFK Stadium and The Orange Bowl during neutral site events. These locations hosted some of the most memorable moments between the Silver and Black and Burgundy and Gold.
Why is this rivalry important to Raiders fans?
It represents a defining conflict between two distinct football philosophies that spanned decades. Overcoming Washington symbolized the Raiders' ability to triumph against the league's established order.
More in Great Rivalries
Elsewhere in the Las Vegas Raiders universe
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