As the Las Vegas Raiders enter Week 16 with a .500 record, there are some important questions that Raider Nation is asking. This week brings another AFC West matchup to town, and the Raiders are running out of time to establish themselves. As they stare down Vic Fangio’s Denver Broncos, here are the most pressing questions that need answering.
Why was the Browns game so close?
Week 15’s matchup in Cleveland left Raider Nation split. One side was relieved that the team had won; after all, a win is a win. The other side wished their team had lost so that the Raiders move up in next year’s draft order. And by doing so, also giving owner Mark Davis another reason to move on from quarterback Derek Carr. Regardless of which side you stood on, you were left asking yourself, “Why is this game so close?”
The Browns showed up on Monday night without nearly half of their starters. They played multiple third string and practice squad players, and yet, they nearly won. The Raiders did not score another touchdown after getting off to an early 7-0 lead thanks to wide receiver Bryan Edwards.
The Raiders’ defense was able to hold the Browns off through the first half and allowed just two scores in the second. If it wasn’t for the impressive execution by the defense, there is no question the Raiders would have lost to the COVID-19-ridden Browns.
As the Silver and Black prepare to face the Broncos and their backup quarterback, Drew Lock, Raider Nation wants to know if the Raiders offense will ever get back on track.
Can Las Vegas really win out?
Las Vegas has three AFC matchups left in the books this season: the Broncos, Colts and Chargers. While the Raiders thankfully hold the tiebreaker against many teams on the playoff bubble, they will most likely have to win out to keep any playoff hopes alive. After losing to the Bears, Giants, and Washington, is it realistic to think that’s a possibility?
Following this week’s matchup with the 7-7 Broncos, the Raiders will face two teams sitting comfortably in playoff position, including the Colts, who lead the league with seven Pro Bowlers this season. In 2020, the Colts had a major part in ending the Raiders’ playoff hopes after beating them 44-27. This year, the Colts have hit a midseason stride and seem unstoppable after winning four of their last five and crushing the Patriots’ seven-game win streak in Week 15.
It may come down to the Chargers…
In the Raiders’ Week 18 matchup, the Chargers are looking to sweep the Raiders on the season. Los Angeles ended the Raiders’ early season win streak after handing them their first loss of the season in Week 4. After that, both the Chargers and Raiders seemed to fall off, as both teams racked up more losses than wins. In recent weeks, the Chargers have come back to life and are playing their best football of the season. If the Chargers have clinched a playoff berth by Week 18, Brandon Staley’s choice to rest his starters may give the Raiders the extra hope they need. That is, if they win out until then.
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*Top Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images