After two straight losses where the Oakland Raiders seemed disinterested, is it safe to say that their season is over as they head to Week 14?
The Oakland Raiders went into MetLife Stadium with a 6-4 record in Week 12, and many expected them to take care of business against the lowly New York Jets. Unfortunately, they lost that game by the score of 34-3, and one week later, they found themselves on the wrong end of a 40-9 score against the Kansas City Chiefs.
That has led to Raider Nation feeling like the world is closing in on them, as they let an opportunity to move into first place in the AFC West slip away on Sunday against Kansas City. Realistically, one has to wonder whether or not the season is over for the Silver and Black as they enter the final quarter of their year.
Technically speaking, no. But it sure feels like it.
Coming into Week 13, the Raiders had a prime opportunity to really turn things up for a playoff push. A win on Sunday would put them in first place of the division, and would allow them to dictate how their season would end.
Unfortunately for Oakland, things didn’t work out, but that doesn’t mean they are out of the playoffs.
Sitting at 6-6, they still have a slim chance. They are only one game out of the final AFC playoff spot, and next week’s matchup against the playoff-contending Tennessee Titans, who stand at 7-5, in Oakland is going to be huge.
If Oakland can win out, they can finish this season 10-6 and although winning out will be important, what might be a bit of a concern is how Oakland’s offense has been since the second half of the Cincinnati Bengals game.
Over the past ten quarters of football, Oakland’s offense, led by Derek Carr has scored a total of 15 points, and only one touchdown on offense. That lone touchdown came in garbage time, when the Chiefs had already let up on defense.
If Oakland wants any shot to make the playoffs, they will need to dig deep and get the offense rolling. The Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are all winnable matchups, so it’s possible the Raiders make it to the playoffs.
But after this 40-9 blowout loss, the Raiders have failed yet again to score 30 points on the offensive side of the ball, so that is what Jon Gruden must address prior to next week. While their next four games are winnable, if they play the way they have as of late, they also could very well be losses.
So is the Raiders season over? No, but it is surely getting late early.