The Raiders improved to 6-8 with their latest improbable victory, coming back to beat the Patriots 30-24 at home in Week 15. With three weeks remaining in the 2022 NFL regular season, the win kept Las Vegas’ slim AFC wild-card hopes alive.
Raiders playoff chances: How can Las Vegas secure an AFC wild card in the NFL playoffs?
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- What are the Raiders’ chances in the AFC playoffs?
The Raiders are ranked 11th at 6-8, two games behind the No. 6 Chargers and No. 7 Dolphins, both of whom are 8-6. They are also a game behind the No. 8 Patriots and No. 9 Jets, both of whom are 7-7.
They are second in the AFC after Week 15 behind the No. 10 Jaguars and ahead of the No. 12 Browns and No. 13 Steelers.
- What tiebreakers favor the Raiders?
The Raiders recently gained an advantage over the Patriots by defeating them in Week 15. They split with the Chargers and currently have a better division record, 3-2 vs. 2-3.
The Raiders, on the other hand, lost 7-7 to both the Jaguars (Week 9) and the current No. 4 seed Titans (Week 3).
The Raiders have not played or will not play the Dolphins, who have a better conference record, 6-3 vs. 5-4. The Browns (4-7) and Steelers (2-7) have far worse records in the AFC.
- What games are left on the Raiders’ schedule?
The Raiders have another critical AFC game in Week 16 when they travel to play the Steelers on Christmas Eve. Then they finish with a 1-2 punch at home against the 10-4 49ers and 11-3 Chiefs.
San Francisco still should have something for which to play in terms of playoff seeding as NFC West champions.
Kansas City, the AFC West champion, may still be in contention for a top seed. The Raiders cannot count on either team resting players.
Las Vegas, perhaps predictably, is unpredictable from week to week and quarter to quarter.
The Raiders play up and down to opponents, either blowing leads or pulling off remarkable comebacks.
They have a wide range of possible finishes, from 0-3 and 6-11 overall to winning out and finishing 9-8 overall.
The realist says the best-case scenario is 1-2 and a final 7-10 mark.
- How good are the Raiders’ chances in the wild-card round now?
The Raiders have a 5% chance of making the postseason. They should be kicking themselves for blowing three 17-point leads and losing to lesser teams such as the Colts and Rams of late. If the Raiders lose in Week 16 to the 6-8 Steelers, the number will fall to zero, or from slim to none.
