5 takeaways from Oakland Raiders’ win over New York Giants
By John Buhler
![OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders strips Geno Smith No. 3 of the New York Giants of the ball for a turnover during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 03: Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders strips Geno Smith No. 3 of the New York Giants of the ball for a turnover during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F12-2F884954800-new-york-giants-vs-oakland-raiders-jpg-850x560-d4a99f677d782cbe51cf9ffa9d9d1b267d8a384340a8a70ca9e817a51338a4f4.jpg)
The Raiders are in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC West.
With this win, the Raiders have clawed their way back into first place in the AFC West, sort of. Oakland is technically in a three-way tie for first with the Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (6-6), but would finish third if the season ended today because of tie-breaking procedures.
Kansas City may have lost six of seven, but retains control of first place for having a better record within the division over Los Angeles and Oakland. The Chargers have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Raiders from their one-point win over the Silver and Black back in Week 6.
Fortunately for the Raiders, Oakland has these two rivals left on the schedule. However, both of those games will be away from the Bay Area. The Raiders will play the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday. Oakland finishes the season with a New Year’s Eve game against the Chargers at the StubHub Center in Carson.
The Raiders do have the added benefit getting the Dallas Cowboys for their final home game in primetime in two weeks. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott won’t be able to play in that one, as that will be the last game he will be suspended for. Even the Philadelphia Eagles showed signs that they can lose games after falling to the Seahawks in Week 13. Oakland has wins left on the schedule, but for now, remains in the mix to potentially win the AFC West.