3 Takeaways from Raiders' Week 16 Loss vs. Steelers

After losing seven of their first nine games in the 2022 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders had been playing much better of late. Entering Week 16, they had won four of their previous five contests. Then, they appeared to be closing in on another victory Saturday night.

However, the Raiders couldn't finish strong at Acrisure Stadium. They fell 13-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won the game on Kenny Pickett's go-ahead 14-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens with 46 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.

Las Vegas fell to 6-9, which has it two games back of the Miami Dolphins for the No. 7 seed in the AFC wild-card race. It was also the Raiders' eighth loss by seven or fewer points this season.

Here are three takeaways from Las Vegas' Week 16 defeat.

Defense's Strong Performance Ends with Disappointing Drive

AP Photo/Fred Vuich

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) scores with Las Vegas Raiders safety Duron Harmon (30) defending during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. The Steelers won 13-10. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)

The Raiders defense played more than well enough to win for most of Saturday night. Through 59 minutes and 14 seconds, the Steelers' only points had come on a pair of field goals by Chris Boswell, as they had been kept out of the end zone to that point.

Pittsburgh had 350 total yards and one turnover, which came when Pickett was intercepted by Las Vegas linebacker Denzel Perryman on the opening drive of the second half. But the Raiders defense couldn't make that type of play when most needed.

The Steelers went 76 yards on 10 plays in the final minutes on their game-winning touchdown drive. So even though it wasn't the best day for Pittsburgh's offense, it found a way to move the ball against Las Vegas at the most critical point of the night.

"I thought the defense hung in there. Played really pretty well most of the game," Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said, per Levi Edwards of the team's official site. "We gave up a few plays here and there, but I thought they hung in there for the most part and tried to make it as tough as we could on the quarterback."

Unfortunately for Las Vegas, one of those plays resulted in the Steelers' lone TD of the game. And that ended up being the difference.

Carr's Future May Be Uncertain as Struggles Continue

Gaelen Morse/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 24: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders is sacked by Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)

Derek Carr has been the Raiders' starting quarterback for the past nine seasons. But the 2022 campaign hasn't been one of the 31-year-old's better showings. In 15 games, he's passed for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and a league-high 14 interceptions.

Three of those interceptions came Saturday night. Carr went 16-of-30 for 174 yards, and he also had one touchdown pass, which came on the game's opening drive. But he was picked off on Las Vegas' final possession, as an interception by cornerback Cameron Sutton sealed the game for Pittsburgh in the last minute.

It was a windy night, so the conditions weren't the best to move the ball through the air. But Carr didn't use that as an excuse.

"I mean, everyone had to play in them," Carr said, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur. "No matter what, you got to do your job as best you can. And for me, I'm just trying my best to hit my guys, find the open receiver."

Next year, it could be a different quarterback under center trying to lead the Raiders to success. Because the offense's lack of production for much of the season may result in a QB change this offseason.

The Path to the Playoffs Is Now Almost Impossible

AP Photo/Don Wright

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels gestures on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

The Raiders' odds of reaching the playoffs were slim even before they lost to the Steelers. Now, it's nearly impossible for Las Vegas to end up in the postseason, as it's getting closer to being eliminated (which could happen as soon as Week 17).

The Dolphins, who are in the No. 7 spot, have been struggling, having lost four straight games. But they're 8-7 and have a one-game lead in the battle for the AFC's third wild-card spot. Behind Miami is a quartet of 7-8 teams: the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

So the Raiders would have to find a way to pass five teams in the standings to make the playoffs. It's not impossible, as there's still a scenario in which that could happen. But Las Vegas would need a lot of help from other teams losing.

It doesn't help that the Raiders' final two regular-season games are against the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, a pair of the NFL's best teams. Don't expect to see Las Vegas back in the postseason after it made it there last season.