Green Bay vs Raiders: What Really Happened in the Battle of the Brothers

If you were watching the last time Green Bay and the Raiders locked horns, you probably remember it as a bit of a mess. Honestly, it was one of those games that made you want to yell at your TV for three hours straight. You’ve got two of the most storied franchises in NFL history meeting under the bright lights of Las Vegas, and what do we get? A 17-13 defensive slog defined by intercepted underthrows and the weirdest kicking duel in family history.

Basically, the "Carlson Bowl" took center stage. Daniel Carlson, the Raiders' veteran kicker, was staring down his little brother Anders, who was then a rookie for the Packers. It’s the kind of stuff you can't script, and yet, both kickers somehow struggled under the pressure of the family reunion. Daniel even had a field goal blocked and hit an upright. It was just that kind of night.

The Packers have historically owned this series, but that night in Vegas flipped the script. Before that 2023 meeting, Green Bay had won eight straight regular-season games against the Silver and Black. We’re talking about a dominance that spanned decades. But the Raiders, led by a gritty (if statistically underwhelming) performance from their defense, finally snapped the streak.

Green Bay vs Raiders: Why This Matchup Always Feels Personal

There is a weird, shared DNA between these two teams that goes way beyond just the colors on their jerseys. Think about Charles Woodson. The man is a literal legend in both cities, winning a Heisman and a Super Bowl with the Raiders (eventually) and then becoming the heart of a championship defense in Green Bay. You don't see that kind of cross-pollination often.

When you look at the rosters heading into the 2026 season, the connections are still everywhere. For starters, the Raiders' current defense features former Packers cornerback Eric Stokes. Seeing a guy who was once a first-round pick in Green Bay chasing down Jordan Love in a Raiders jersey? That's just football irony at its finest.

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Then you have the Josh Jacobs factor. For years, Jacobs was the engine of the Raiders' offense. He was the guy who hammered the rock and kept the sticks moving. Seeing him in Green Bay colors now is still sorta jarring for fans in Vegas. When these two teams meet, it isn't just about the current standings; it's about seeing if the guys you let go are going to come back and haunt you.

The Jordan Love Reality Check

Jordan Love is the undisputed face of the franchise in Green Bay now, but the Raiders game in 2023 was a massive humbling moment for him. He threw three interceptions that night. One of them was a back-breaker in the final minute—an underthrown ball to Christian Watson in the end zone that Amik Robertson snatched away to seal the game.

It was a "learning moment," sure, but it was also a reminder that the Packers' high-flying offense can be grounded by a disciplined pass rush. Maxx Crosby, the Raiders' defensive end, didn't just play that game; he lived in the Packers' backfield. Crosby is the type of player who single-handedly changes how Green Bay has to gameplan. If the Packers' offensive line isn't at 100%, Love spends the whole game running for his life.

What the 2026 Landscape Looks Like for Both Teams

Fast forward to right now, January 2026. The 2025 season just wrapped up, and both teams are in very different headspaces. The Packers finished with a 9-7-1 record and a disappointing Wild Card exit against the Bears. They’re currently staring down a massive salary cap headache—nearly $20 million in relief needed just to break even.

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Key guys like Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker might not even be on the roster when the next season kicks off. It’s a transitional period. On the other side, the Raiders are coming off a brutal 3-14 season under Pete Carroll, who took over to try and right the ship but struggled with a stagnant offense that ranked dead last in points scored.

Why People Keep Getting the "Rebuild" Wrong

Everyone loves to talk about "rebuilding" in the NFL, but neither of these teams is truly doing that. Green Bay is "retooling." They have the quarterback. They have the young receivers like Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed. Their problem is purely financial. They went "all-in" for 2025, and now the bill is coming due.

The Raiders, meanwhile, are in a bit of a quarterback purgatory. They’ve cycled through Geno Smith, Kenny Pickett, and Aidan O’Connell. Until they find a guy who can actually challenge the elite arms in the AFC, they’re going to rely on that defense. And honestly, that’s when they’re most dangerous against a team like Green Bay. They play a "muddy" game. They want to keep the score in the teens and wait for you to make a mistake.

Strategy: How Green Bay Beats the Raiders' Pressure

If you want to understand how the Packers can avoid another upset, you have to look at the Micah Parsons trade. Green Bay sent Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons, and it changed their defensive identity. They are faster now. They don't just sit in a zone; they attack.

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To beat the Raiders, Green Bay has to:

• Neutralize Maxx Crosby: You cannot let him 1-on-1 with a backup tackle. It’s suicide.
• Force the Raiders to Pass: Las Vegas wants to run the ball with Ashton Jeanty and Zamir White. If the Packers' front seven holds up, they force the Raiders' backup-level QBs to win the game.
• Avoid the "Deep Shot" Trap: Jordan Love loves the big play, but against the Raiders' secondary, he has to be willing to take the 5-yard checkdown to Josh Jacobs.

The Raiders' best chance is always to make the game ugly. They thrive in chaos. If they can get a couple of early turnovers and let the Vegas crowd get into it, they can beat anyone. But if Green Bay plays "boring" football—efficient, short passes and solid run blocking—they usually walk away with the win.

The Verdict on the Rivalry

It’s not a traditional rivalry like Packers-Bears or Raiders-Chiefs, but there is a mutual respect here that you don't find elsewhere. Both fan bases are incredibly loyal and travel well. Whether the game is at the historic Lambeau Field or the "Death Star" Allegiant Stadium, the atmosphere is electric.

Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule releases. The Raiders are slated to play a road game against Green Bay this coming season. That means the Silver and Black have to travel into the frozen tundra. For a team based in the desert, that’s a massive hurdle.

Next Steps for Fans:

• Check the official 2026 NFL schedule release in May to see exactly when the Packers host the Raiders at Lambeau.
• Track the Green Bay salary cap cuts in March; if Elgton Jenkins is released, the offensive line dynamic changes completely for this matchup.
• Watch the Raiders' draft strategy in April—if they finally land a franchise QB, the odds for this game will shift significantly in Vegas' favor.