Fresh off a tail whipping in week 14, the Oakland Raiders must refocus and turn their attention to winning the next three games to accomplish their quest for 13 wins. But Raider Nation, take simply just one moment to appreciate after 14 years the Raiders are looking to lock up 13 wins after what season after season of 13 losses. Now, while the Raiders may not control their own destiny in terms of playoff seeding, they still have a chance to reclaim a bye week and win the division, if they can win out.
Oakland’s Quest for 13 Wins
Game One: San Diego Chargers
Previously in the Chargers vs Raiders match-up this season, Oakland pulled out a 34-31 victory in which the Raiders had dominated the game for the most part until their lack-luster defense and inability to close out games early this season reared its ugly head and let San Diego back into the game.
This is a different Raider team than it was ealy in the season, that’s only gotten better. Despite his struggles against Kansas City, Derek Carr is still playing at an MVP level and is the type of competitor that doesn’t take putting up a terrible performance in a huge game lightly. In fact the only thing that’s light about this game will be the score board as the Carr and the rest of the passing offense will look to get back on track against an average defense that may be without one of their best players in Joey Bosa. Everyone knows what Carr can do with solid protection, but if a team doesn’t have a legitimate pass rushing threat, which Bosa is, back in the first match-up he had two sacks and a forced fumble against the Raiders, Carr will shred a secondary.
San Diego is a tough competitive team that is hardly ever out of a game thanks to Philip Rivers but against the Carolina Panthers, running back Melvin Gordon was carted off with a leg injury and that is never a good sign for a players ability to start the next week. In a game where the Chargers will be severely out gunned on both sides of the ball, the Raiders should be able to take care of business and secure the first of the three wins they need.
Game Two: Indianapolis Colts
In what could prove to be a more difficult game than some would have thought early in the season the Raiders will host a very likely desperate Colts team that will need to win as many games as possible for their own playoff chances. Andrew Luck is an absolute star. That man could win ball games with one actual skill player, a forty-year-old running back, no defense, and offensive line composed of actual tackling dummies. Oddly enough that is actually the Colts roster.
From top to bottom the Raiders are the much better team. They have an abundance of talent at almost every position save inside backer, tight end, and anyone who plays in their secondary. Carr again should have no problem picking apart a very bad defense, however Luck should also have no problem taking apart a very bad Oakland Secondary.
Playoff Implications
This game has shootout written all over it, however the Raiders have Khalil Mack who at this point should be the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Unfortunately for the Colts they’ll have to figure out a way to block him and their offensive line is simply not good enough. The Raiders will also likely be welcoming defensive end/tackle Mario Edwards back and while likely on a snap count, his interior pressure on passing downs should open things up for Mack even more.
A win against the Colts may end the Colts playoff hopes but could lead to the Raiders 12th win and a chance to win the division and secure a first round bye in week 17 against the defending super bowl champions, Denver Broncos.
Game Three: Denver Broncos
It all comes down to this. The battle for the AFC West, should the Raiders actually beat San Diego and Indianapolis, will come down to a game against a bitter division rival who will also be playing for their playoffs lives. There’s also no way this game doesn’t get flexed to the Sunday Night slot. Raiders, Broncos week 17 will be must watch TV. This is also a game where Carr can reclaim his MVP candidacy. A star performance against the Denver Broncos with everything on the line would cement his place in the MVP standings this year and his place in Raiders fans’ hearts forever.
A look at Denver this year shows a team that is simply not the powerhouse they were last season. The defense is still very good, just not as good. The running game has gone absent with the loss of CJ Anderson and Trevor Siemian just has not shown the ability to go out and win games on his own. The Raiders will still need a find a way to block Von Miller, but last time the Raiders negated the pass rush by piling up 218 yards on the ground accompanied by three Latavius Murray rushing touchdowns. To beat Denver, in Denver in December (It will actually be January 1st, but that wouldn’t have been an alliteration) the Raiders will need a repeat performance from the offensive line and Latavius Murray.
The Raiders defense will actually have to show up again and force Siemian to make mistakes but if the Raiders can control this game and force Denver to make play catch up the Raiders will more than likely win this game. With a 3-0 record over the final three games and just one more loss from the Chiefs, the Raiders would walk away from the 2016 regular season with a 13-3 record, the AFC West crown, and likely a first round bye.
This is a far cry from where they were just two years ago. Also to note, the last time the Raiders lost to the Chiefs the proceeded to win six straight games. However, that’s all fine on paper, but the reality is the Raiders will need help as well as taking care of business on the road. But it all starts next week against the San Diego Chargers in the Oakland Raiders quest for 13 wins.
