The odds are against the Raiders regarding the playoffs. After beating up on the disinterested Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 on Dec. 14, the Raiders sent a signal Monday they shouldn't be discounted by winning 20-14 at defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City. Las Vegas (7-8) has only a 12% chance of making the playoffs, according to the NFL's projections, but that number rises to 30% if the Raiders beat the Colts (8-7).
The former NFL linebacker could benefit from the lingering regret Mark Davis has had about not hiring Rich Bisaccia. Plus, why we shouldn’t overreact to Brock Purdy’s four picks, Robert Saleh on Aaron Rodgers’s leadership, and more in Albert Breer’s Tuesday notes.
The AFC West title was ripe to get wrested from the Kansas City Chiefs this season, yet their division rivals dug themselves into big holes once again. There’s still a mathematical chance the Raiders or Broncos could catch the Chiefs following Las Vegas’ 20-14 win on Christmas Day at Arrowhead, but a lot would have to line up for one of them to unseat K.C.