AFC West 17 preview and predictions: Oakland Raiders to the playoffs?

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers as he leaves the field at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers as he leaves the field at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders breaks the tackle of Corey Nelson #56 and Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on September 9, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders breaks the tackle of Corey Nelson #56 and Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at RingCentral Coliseum on September 9, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos

There is something bittersweet about this being the last time making a prediction about the Raiders and calling them the ‘Oakland Raiders’, but that’s a topic for another time. With the Raiders traveling to Denver after a hard fought win over the Broncos in Week 1, things have definitely changed since the start of the season.

The Broncos are now led by a new quarterback in rookie Drew Lock, which is a familiar face to Raiders coach Jon Gruden, as he coached Lock in this past year’s Senior Bowl. Lock has been a pretty solid replacement for injured quarterback Joe Flacco, but the rookie should face an uphill battle vs a determined and eager Raiders team.

The Raiders will be looking to get back rookie sensation Josh Jacobs after missing Week 16 with injury, and will look to control the game in the same manner as Week 1. With a lot at stake and also a critical game for quarterback Derek Carr, I’m expecting the Raiders to win this one and although it may not be a blowout, it should be a convincing win to leave their playoff hopes up to the rest of the field.

Prediction: Raiders 27, Broncos 19

Schedule