Oakland Raiders Week 17 X-Factors against the Denver Broncos

With an outside shot at the playoffs, the Oakland Raiders will have something to play for in Week 17. If the team is going to keep their hopes alive, the Raiders x-factors must perform well on Sunday.

A wise man once said: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” That quote accurately depicts the Oakland Raiders’ postseason situation, as they head into Week 17 of the NFL season actually alive in the AFC Playoff race.

Before last week, the Silver and Black’s playoff chances looked bleak and nonexistent. A handful of games needed to go in their favor and by some sort of holiday miracle, every single contest went the Raiders way. This week, the organization needs some of that luck to continue, but none of that matters if the team can’t take care of business against the Denver Broncos.

With four wins in their last seven games, Denver is more than capable of spoiling Oakland’s season. Rookie quarterback Drew Lock has invigorated the Broncos’ offense and this is far from the same team the Raiders dominated in week one. Also, beating the same team twice is no easy task and the Mile High City would love nothing more than to end their division rival’s season.

While their chances are slim – seven percent to be exact – the Raiders need a victory to keep the postseason door open and that will be accomplished if the following players perform well.