Raiders to host Saints in Las Vegas regular-season debut on Monday Night Football schedule

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KEVIN SEIFERT via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
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May 7, 2020, 9:09 PM ET
3 min read

The Las Vegas Raiders will make their regular-season home debut Sept. 21 on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints, a game that will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC, according to the full 2020 NFL schedule released Thursday night.

The matchup will introduce the country to the Raiders' new home at Allegiant Stadium, where they have relocated after a 25-season run in Oakland, California.

Raiders GM Mike Mayock says he knows there will be plenty of excitement surrounding the game.

"Week 2, we have our home opener with the New Orleans Saints; Drew Brees comes to town. So, you wanna talk about excitement -- I think our players are excited; I think the fans are gonna be fired up," Mayock told NFL Network. "Brand new stadium -- they're calling it "The Death Star" -- I think [late owner] Al Davis would've loved it. It's a beautiful, beautiful stadium, and [team owner] Mark Davis has done a great job of getting it ready."

The Saints, meanwhile, are one of nine teams that will make multiple appearances on Monday Night Football. In addition to their Week 2 game at Las Vegas, they'll also host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5.

The NFL announced its full 2020 schedule in anticipation of playing a typical season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell told teams in a memo this week that adjustments will be made if necessary.

Goodell addressed the need to be flexible in a statement Thursday night.

"In preparing to play the season as scheduled, we will continue to make our decisions based on the latest medical and public health advice, in compliance with government regulations, and with appropriate safety protocols to protect the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel, and our communities," Goodell said. "We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this off-season in safely and efficiently conducting team activities such as free agency, the virtual off-season program, and the 2020 NFL draft."

Other highlights of the Monday Night Football schedule include:

  • The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will travel in Week 3 to play the Baltimore Ravens, the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed in 2019. In their most recent matchup against each other, the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes defeated the Ravens' Lamar Jackson 33-28 in Week 3 of last season.
  • Quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will make two appearances, in Week 8 at the New York Giants and in Week 11 at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
  • Two AFC East-related appearances by the New England Patriots, who bid farewell to Brady and are on track to start second-year player Jarrett Stidham in his place. The Patriots will play at the New York Jets in Week 9 and then host the Buffalo Bills in the final Monday Night Football game of the season, in Week 16.
  • A Week 1 doubleheader Sept. 14 that will pit the Pittsburgh Steelers at the New York Giants at 7:15 p.m. ET, followed by the Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos in a 10:10 p.m. ET kickoff.

    • Titans coach Mike Vrabel looks forward to opening on Monday Night Football.

    "It's always exciting to have an opportunity to play in front of a national audience. Something [about] when you were growing up watching this game and watching the NFL, you look forward to Monday Night Football," Vrabel said on NFL Network. "The eyes of the nation is on you and you know all the NFL players around the league are watching so it's important."