If the Las Vegas Raiders want to stay alive in the AFC Playoff race in Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season, they are going to need a miracle or two.
Incredibly, despite losing four of their last five games, the Las Vegas Raiders are not technically eliminated from playoff contention heading into Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season. They will need a lot of help the rest of the way, including from some teams that have been terrible this season, but let us dive in none the less.
For the Raiders, this is another disappointing season, their second in a row that has seen them get out to a hot start against tough opponents, only to fade down the stretch in games they likely should have won. On Thursday night, the Raiders season may have hit a low, as they had plenty of chances to beat the Los Angeles Chargers at home, but lost in overtime to the Bolts and their rookie quarterbacks.
Looking ahead, Josh Jacobs and company will need to take care of their own business in Week 16, and they take a look at the scoreboard.
Raiders win and the Ravens to lose to the New York Giants
With the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts all with double-digit wins, they will likely all join the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs this season. The seventh spot is still up for grabs, as the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens have nine wins, and will look to get to ten and make some waves, possibly eliminating some of the above teams outside of Buffalo, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh, all of which have clinched a spot.
For the 7-7 Raiders, the only other AFC team still alive in the playoff race, they will need two things to happen this weekend. First, they have to beat the Dolphins, who are fresh off a victory against New England. Then, the Baltimore Ravens must lose to the New York Giants, which, with how well the Ravens are playing right now, seems like the biggest longshot.
The Giants looked downright terrible on Sunday night, as they were shredded by Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. Even if the Ravens lose to the Giants, they will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, and while the Bengals shocked the world on Monday night, could they really beat a Lamar Jackson-led team looking to clinch a playoff spot?
The chances of the Silver and Black making the playoffs are slim to none heading into Week 16, but not zero.