The Oakland Raiders controlled the game from start to finish against the Los Angeles Chargers, even without Josh Jacobs and Trent Brown.
Here are the Week 17 Power Rankings:
Current Ranking: 23
Previous Ranking: 23
Analysis:
If only we would have beaten the Jaguars ... That's the thought of every Raiders fan -- and every member of the Raiders -- after a Sunday win over the Chargers that, coupled with losses by the Steelers and Titans, keeps Oakland on the edge of the playoff picture entering Week 17. According to ESPN's number crunchers, the Raiders entered Week 16 with a 1-in-200 chance of making it to the playoffs. Entering Week 17? It's all the way up to 1-in-8. Still, it's best to temper expectations: Before Sunday's win, the Raiders had been riding a four-game losing streak in which they scored just 12.3 points per game and allowed 34.0 (both worst in NFL). This team isn't quite ready for prime time, but the Baby Raiders provide hope for the future.
Current Ranking: 19
Previous Ranking: 19
Analysis:
Despite missing two of the Raiders' past three games with a fractured right shoulder, the rookie running back has carried the Raiders' offense in rushing for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns on 242 carries (4.75 yards per carry). "He is a tough guy, he is a great kid and he's smart. And he's a great competitor," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said of Jacobs. "Those are the things that people don't see. Maybe they feel it, but he is off the charts when it comes to being on the mark in terms of his assignments, and he has a lot of pride in his performance. He's the perfect centerpiece for our offense."
Current Ranking: 20
Previous Ranking: 22
Analysis:
The Raiders getting into the playoffs would be a phenomenal story. And when you look at what has to happen in Week 17 for the Raiders to find their way in, it's really not that outrageous.
Current Ranking: 23
Previous Ranking: 28
Analysis:
The Oakland Raiders are somehow still alive in the playoff race.
To keep their faint playoff hopes alive in Week 16, the Raiders needed a handful of things to happen, including a win on the road over the disappointing Los Angeles Chargers. And all of those dominoes did in fact fall into place.
Derek Carr was an efficient 26-of-30 for 291 yards and a touchdown, tailback DeAndre Washington was a capable fill-in for Josh Jacobs, and rookie Hunter Renfrow tallied the first 100-yard game of his collegiate or pro career.
In addition, the Ravens beat the Browns. The Jets beat the Steelers. The Saints beat the Titans. And the Colts beat the Panthers.
Oakland needed all that to happen.
In Week 17, it's just as complicated. In addition to a win in Denver, the Raiders need the Ravens to beat the Steelers, the Texans to beat the Titans and the Colts to beat the Jaguars.
So, yes, we're saying there's a chance.
Current Ranking: 19
Previous Ranking: 23
Analysis: As strange as it sounds, they can still make the playoffs. Can you believe it? They need to beat Denver and get some help.
