NFL Playoff Predictions: How the Oakland Raiders Make It to the Playoffs

The Oakland Raiders currently sit at 7-7 and are in great danger of missing the playoffs. 

But there is still hope that the Raiders can put something magical together.

In order to win the AFC West, the Raiders need to win their final two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers. They also need help in the form of Kansas City beating the Denver Broncos in Week 17.

The Raiders still also have an outside shot at making it to the playoffs with a wild-card berth. In order for that to happen, the Raiders still need to win out and have even more pieces to fall into place. Oakland would then need the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals to each lose one more game and the Tennessee Titans to lose their remaining two games.

First, Oakland needs to win their Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which is more than possible. Yes, Kansas City is coming off of a huge win over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers, but it’s possible that they could be too amped. Too much adrenaline and excitement can lead to sloppy football—just look at the late hits and third-down penalties that the Raiders have amassed in 2011.

In the game against the Chiefs, the Raiders need to be disciplined and turn the tables on Kansas City. Oakland is known for being a team that can be out of control at times but that can’t be the case in Week 16. The Raiders have to make the Chiefs look erratic and force them into committing ill-advised penalties.

The Raiders can do that by getting to Orton early and forcing turnovers. Kansas City runs a standard offense and won’t throw any wrenches into the Oakland's game plan like the Broncos did by letting Tebow run wild in Week 9 against the Raiders.



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