The Raiders' faint AFC playoff hopes took a big hit in Pittsburgh on Saturday night. Las Vegas lost another game late, 13-10, to fall to 6-9, blowing its renewed life from beating New England at home last week.Consider that the Raiders were 6-7 last season and won their final four games to finish 10-7 and earn the No. 5 seed the top wild-card
Dave Henderson Jersey berth in the AFC with their Week 18 win over the Chargers.This year, they would be thrilled to just get the No. 7 seed with the third wild card. Here's breaking
Joe Morgan Jersey down the Raiders' dwindling playoff chances:MORE: Updated, complete NFL playoff picture for Week 16Raiders' playoff pictureThe Raiders fell to the No. 12 spot behind the four 7-8 teams in the AFC. In order from No. 8 through No. 11 based on the pecking order of tiebreakers, they are the Patriots, Jets, Titans and now, the Steelers.They are now three games behind the No. 6 Chargers (8-6), who clinch their wild-card berth with a win over the Colts on Monday night and two games behind the No. 7 Dolphins (8-7), who lost to the Packers on Sunday afternoon.What tiebreakers are in the Raiders' favor?The Raiders don't play the Dolphins, who have the better conference record, 6-3 vs. 5-6. Las Vegas gained the edge over No. 8 New England with the win in Week 15. It also has the same conference record as No. 9 New York.The Raiders lost to the Titans in Week 3
Matt Joyce Jersey and also lost to the new first-place AFC South team, the
Sonny Gray Jersey 7-8 Jaguars, in Week 9. Just add the Steelers lo s to that negative mix.Raiders' remaining scheduleThe Raiders close with a brutal 1-2 punch at home with the 11-4 49ers and 12-3 Chiefs.San Francisco still has plenty for which to play in terms of playoff seeding as NFC West champion. AFC West champion Kansas City should still be alive for a top seed in the final week. The Raiders won't get a break with either team resting players.Las Vegas needed to hold the lead in Pittsburgh badly. Now it's facing losing out and finishing 6-
Joakim Soria Jersey 11, far from being in the playoff picture.Can the Raiders still make the playoffs?The Raiders have le s than one percent chance of making the playoffs. They should be kicking themselves for blowing three 17-point leads and losing to le ser teams such as the Colts, Rams and Steelers of late. A season of high expectations in the AFC West has been met with major disappointment.
