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4 reasons the 2019 Oakland Raiders are a playoff team

By Nick Ellis

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders drops back to pass during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders drops back to pass during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Oakland Raiders have been playing great football lately, currently sitting at 5-4 and in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Coach Gruden has his Oakland Raiders team playing better than just about anyone expected, winning games against the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers. Derek Carr and the offense are playing better than ever, and although the defense is struggling, they have stepped up in big moments on multiple occasions.

Heading into the season, Oakland sported the toughest schedule in the league, as they played two home games to open up the year, and then hit the road for Week 3 through 8. Returning to the Coliseum for a Week 9 matchup with the Detroit Lions, the Raiders took care of business, and five days later, beat division rival Los Angeles inside the Coli as well.

Now, sitting at 5-4, the Raiders are a legitimate playoff contender, and have completely changed the narrative surrounding the franchise. Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have established a roster that can hang with any team in the NFL, and their schedule gets a lot easier looking ahead.

There is still plenty of football left to play this season, but let’s take a look at four reasons the Raiders will make the playoffs this season.

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