Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders' slim playoff hopes hinge on winning every game

By Joaquin Ruiz | Last updated Dec 17, 2022 11:03 AM ET

Following their fourth loss when leading by double digits this season, the tumbling Raiders are 5-8 with four games remaining.

#Raiders are 0-4 this season when leading by double digits at halftime. They are first team since at least 1930 to lose 4 times in a season when leading by double digits at the half #fantastic
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) December 9, 2022

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.

NFL Draft order after 14 weeks:

1) Texans
2) Seahawks (via DEN)
3) Bears
4) Lions (via LAR)
5) Eagles (via NO)
6) Cardinals
7) Colts
8) Raiders
9) Panthers
10) Falcons
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 13, 2022

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.

Joaquin Ruiz

Joaquin Ruiz is an aspiring sports writer from the Los Angeles area with a concentration in the NFL and NBA. Inspired by Blake Griffin jumping over a Kia Optima, he studies media at the University of California, Berkeley. You can follow him on Twitter @WalkingRuiz for more sports talk

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