NFL Playoff Predictions: How the Oakland Raiders Make It to the Playoffs

The Oakland Raiders currently sit at 7-7 and are in great danger of missing the playoffs. 

But there is still hope that the Raiders can put something magical together.

In order to win the AFC West, the Raiders need to win their final two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers. They also need help in the form of Kansas City beating the Denver Broncos in Week 17.

The Raiders still also have an outside shot at making it to the playoffs with a wild-card berth. In order for that to happen, the Raiders still need to win out and have even more pieces to fall into place. Oakland would then need the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals to each lose one more game and the Tennessee Titans to lose their remaining two games.

First, Oakland needs to win their Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which is more than possible. Yes, Kansas City is coming off of a huge win over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers, but it’s possible that they could be too amped. Too much adrenaline and excitement can lead to sloppy football—just look at the late hits and third-down penalties that the Raiders have amassed in 2011.

In the game against the Chiefs, the Raiders need to be disciplined and turn the tables on Kansas City. Oakland is known for being a team that can be out of control at times but that can’t be the case in Week 16. The Raiders have to make the Chiefs look erratic and force them into committing ill-advised penalties.

The Raiders can do that by getting to Orton early and forcing turnovers. Kansas City runs a standard offense and won’t throw any wrenches into the Oakland's game plan like the Broncos did by letting Tebow run wild in Week 9 against the Raiders.

The Chiefs are rallying around interim head coach Romeo Crennel, and while the Kansas City defense has been lights out, it is their offense that they have to worry about. Quarterback Kyle Orton (pictured) started his first game for the Chiefs last weekend and threw for 299 yards. But will he be able to keep that up for a second straight week?

A huge key for the Raiders in stopping Orton will be the Raiders front line. Orton tore apart the Packers and yes, the Packers have a better secondary than the Raiders, but they have a much worse defensive line. The Packers have 27 sacks on the year, which puts them in 26th place in the NFL.

The Raiders, on the other hand, are tied for the fifth-most sacks in the league with 39. If the Raiders can break through the Kansas offensive line, they can stop Orton from throwing and potentially burning the Raider defense.

Assuming the Raider defense holds their ground, running back Michael Bush controls the offense, quarterback Carson Palmer gets some timely throws in and kicker Sebastian Janikowski is as clutch as usual, the Raiders can walk away with a win. But it’s not like that’s any special kind of game plan—it’s what the Raiders try to execute every week.

The Raiders have a run-based offensive attack and need Michael Bush to set the tone of each game they play. When Bush is able to run well, it opens up passing lanes for Carson Palmer (pictured) and the various weapons that the Raiders have on the edges.

This season, Darrius Heyward-Bey has become a much more reliable receiver but it has been the rookie, Denarius Moore, who has quickly become Palmer’s favorite target. When Palmer and Moore are clicking, the Raider offense is at its best. Luckily for Oakland, Moore is healthy and should play well the next two weeks.

Week 17 is where things get more interesting for the Raiders. Assuming they win in Kansas City and the Raiders are still in playoff contention, star running back Darren McFadden could return to the lineup against the San Diego Chargers.

McFadden has been out since October 23 after spraining his foot against the Kansas City Chiefs. Each week there are reports that McFadden could possibly return but that has not been the case. But there is now serious talk of McFadden being ready to go on New Year’s Day against the Chargers if the Raiders are still in the playoff picture.

If he can in fact return, he will provide a huge emotional boost to a team greatly in need of one. A healthy McFadden gives the Raiders two elite running backs with very distinct styles—a thunder (Bush) and lightning (McFadden) combo.

Historically, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has usually found a way to lose games for San Diego and that has never been truer than in 2011.

In the Raiders' previous game against the Chargers, the Raiders pulled away with a 24-17 victory. They did it by forcing two turnovers and most importantly, getting to Philip Rivers early and often. Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley had four sacks alone. In fact, the game ended with two Raider sacks and a forced fumble. The San Diego line was depleted in that game and should look better in Week 17, but the Raiders have a great blueprint to beat the Chargers.

One of Oakland’s biggest problems this season is getting a lead and then being complacent. Countless times, including games against the Chargers, Vikings, Broncos and Lions, the Raiders have built up a lead and let their opponent back into the game. In these final two regular-season games, the Raiders need to play all 60 minutes with a sense of urgency because it’s do or die for the Silver and Black.