If Raiders Don't Win in K.C., Playoff Hopes Could Die

It has come to this: After losing three straight games, including an ugly home performance against the Lions Sunday in which they blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Raiders could watch their playoff hopes disappear Saturday with another loss at Arrowhead Stadium. A loss against the Chiefs in Kansas City, coupled with victories by either the Jets or Bengals, would mean Oakland would lose its shot at the AFC West title or an AFC wild-card berth. At 7-7, the Raiders aren’t dead yet. Two wins, against the Chiefs and the Chargers in the season finale on Jan. 1, would still give them a shot at slipping into the postseason at 9-7. But lose Saturday and the Raiders’ hopes are all but shot. Head coach Hue Jackson, ever the optimist, believes his team can rebound in Kansas City, which still has much to play for. At 6-8, the Chiefs – who beat previously unbeaten Green Bay last week after head coach Todd Haley was fired -- still have an outside shot at a playoff s...