Las Vegas Raiders may have to win out to clinch playoff spot

By Brad Weiss | Dec 7, 2020

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders talks on the field during a timeout in the second half of the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Carr and company struggled mightily against Atlanta Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders may have to win out to clinch playoff spot

How did we get here?

The Raiders went into their game against the Kansas City Chiefs flying high, the winners of four straight games, and already had a win against the Chiefs on their record. In an instant classic inside their new building, the Raiders seemed to have the game in hand before Patrick Mahomes did what Patrick Mahomes does, and led the Chiefs to a game-winning drive.

Still, the Raiders were fine and would head to Atlanta to take on a 3-7 Falcons team with a record of 6-4. This was the same scenario as last season, when they had the same record and went East to take on the 3-7 New York Jets, and unfortunately for the Silver and Black, it would be the same kind of embarrassing loss.

That made the game against the Jets a must-win, and with under ten seconds left, it looked like the season was over. Well, Carr had some magic left in his right arm, the Raiders won their seventh game, and moving forward, they will have to take care of business each week if they want to reach the playoffs for only the second time since the 2002 NFL season.

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