Raiders' slim playoff hopes hinge on winning every game
Following their fourth loss when leading by double digits this season, the tumbling Raiders are 5-8 with four games remaining.
The team has a four percent chance to make the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight's 2022 NFL Predictions.
To make the postseason, the Raiders must win out against the Patriots, Steelers, 49ers and Chiefs. If they go 4-0, their playoff chances rise to 54 percent, per FiveThirtyEight.
Las Vegas would also need a lot of help. The Chargers and Jets must each lose, and the Jaguars and Patriots must lose one (excluding Week 15's Patriots-Raiders).
It's unlikely that the Raiders pull it off, but nothing about the team's season has made sense.
As it stands, the team would have the eighth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft -- a massive failure considering it made the playoffs last year.
Las Vegas has too much talent to finish below .500. Defensive end Maxx Crosby is making his case for Defensive Player of the Year (73 tackles, 11.5 sacks), and running back Josh Jacobs is arguably the best rusher in the league (1,402, 11 touchdowns).
With the acquisition of All-Pro wideout Davante Adams from Green Bay in the offseason, the Raiders were expected to build on their successful 2021-2022 season and contend for an AFC West title.
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