The Playoff Hunt for the Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have not made the playoffs since their Super Bowl Appearance in the 2002 season. This season, they are in contention to make playoffs, but a lot of things have to go their way. They must win all their games, as well as be fans of other teams for one day.
The Raiders were off to an up and down start with first year coach Hue Jackson. Going 4-3 through the first 7 weeks of their season. After their week 8 bye, the raiders went 4-1, where they went on a 3 game winning streak. Unfortunately, tides have turned for the Raiders, who are now on a 3 game losing streak. The Raiders play the Chiefs, and finish off the season at home against San Diego, both which are games which will be difficult to win.
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The Raiders next game is against the divisional rival Chiefs, who beat the Raiders 28-0 earlier in week 7. The Raiders, coming off a three game losing streak look to finish the season strong and for a win to stay in the playoff hunt play a Chiefs team who just came off an upset handing the reigning Super Bowl Champions their first loss of the season. They ride in with momentum, while the Raiders are looking for some. The Raiders first meeting with the Chiefs ended in a loss, but hey, you can’t blame the Raiders for starting Kyle Boller and a then freshly traded Carson Palmer. They threw for six interceptions as two were returned for touchdowns. Carson Palmer, who should be more comfortable in this offense now must take care of the ball. He had a good game last week, but single coverage defense on Calvin Johnson allowed the Lions to march down the field and score a late minute touchdown. Palmer marched the Raiders back, which put the Raiders in a field goal range of about 65 yards. The Raiders tested their luck with Sebastian Janikowski as he attempted not only the game tying field goal, but also an nfl record for the longest field goal made. As SeaBass went to kick the ball, Ndamukong Suh, coming off his suspended game blocked the field goal, sealing the win for Detroit. Palmer must be efficient, and the defense must create turnovers and slow down the Chief’s momentum. The Chargers are also making a late season run, on a 3 game winning streak allowing them to go 7-7. The Raiders must keep up and not allow any more losses, as the more they lose, they must depend more on other teams to lose.
Playoffs is a legitimate goal for the Raiders this season, as they are only 1 game behind in the AFC West division and in the AFC West Wild card hunt. The only thing the Raiders can do is win games, as they do not have room to screw up. One more loss can easily put them out of the playoff picture. As the Raiders look to win, they can only hope the teams ahead of them find defeat. Both teams on the schedule are beatable, undoubtedly tough; the Raiders need to find their mojo, their running game, and need to play their best defense to be successful and win the remaining games on the schedule. Click here to view the playoff race, provided by CBS sports.
By James J. Shim
ProFootball-fans.com Oakland Raiders Correspondent