Raiders Playoff Chances: A Look At Oakland's Schedule With 3 Games Remaining

While it's mostly been a disappointing season for the Oakland Raiders (6-7), a sharp turnaround with three games remaining in the season could still mean a playoff berth. Jack Del Rio's squad has failed to win three straight games this season, and that's almost certainly what they will need to advance to the postseason.

Oakland will look to put their disappointing Week 14 behind them as they make a final playoff push. The Raiders scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as an overall uninspired effort against the Kansas City Chiefs (7-6) severely jeopardized their playoff hopes.

Las Vegas oddsmakers aren't enthusiastic about the Raiders' chances. Oakland has the ninth-best odds amongst AFC teams to reach the Super Bowl and eight AFC teams currently have a better record than Oakland. The Raiders are also three-point underdogs at home this weekend. Football Outsiders gives the Raiders just a 2.5 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.

While the schedule may seem daunting on paper, a closer look at the remaining games may provide some hope for Raider Nation. The Raiders are at home against the Dallas Cowboys (7-6) on Sunday and then hit the road against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) and the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6).

“All right, got a Sunday night game,” Del Rio said earlier this week. “Cowboys. Should be a lot of fun. It’ll be an exciting game. Glad to be at home. Looking forward to it. Ready to have a good week of prep.”

Winning three games isn't out of the question.

Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys

This matchup promises to be very close. The Raiders are 4-3 at home, while the Cowboys are 4-2 on the road.

The Cowboys, who are coming off back-to-back wins, have been about as erratic as the Raiders this season. Jason Garrett's suffered two losses in three games against AFC West opponents and only posted a combined 16 points against the Atlanta Falcons and Eagles in Week 10 and 11.

This is a great opportunity for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to bounce back from a disappointing performance against the Chiefs, as he will be facing a pass defense ranked No. 23. It will help if Seth Roberts shines in Amari Cooper's absence.

Del Rio wants Carr to take some chances.

“Play faster, don’t think so much, man, just play,” Carr told ESPN. “And that’s stuff that I can work on – not having to think so much. Just go out there and what (Del Rio) is saying, let it rip, cut it loose, we’ve all heard different ones. But just go out there, man, and cut it loose and play. That’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Week 16 at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have already clinched a playoff berth and will be without quarterback Carson Wentz. How effective Nick Foles will be in his second start of the season is anyone's guess.

Philadelphia has a perfect 6-0 record at Lincoln Financial Field. But a win against the struggling New York Giants in Week 15, and with the NFC's No. 1 seed possibly wrapped up, the Eagles may not put up their best effort against the Raiders.

The Raiders have just two road wins, but a victory over the Cowboys in Week 15 would give them much-needed momentum for the final two weeks of the season.

Week 17 at Los Angeles Chargers

The Raiders should have plenty of fans in attendance at StubHub Center. They also should have plenty of motivation.

After the tight 17-16 home loss to the Chargers in Week 6, the Raiders will likely be at their best with or without playoff implications. Oakland lost to Los Angeles due to the kicking game, with Giorgio Tavecchio missing an extra point and with the Chargers' Nick Novak converting a 32-yard field goal on the game's final play.

This should be another competitive matchup. The last time the Raiders faced the Chargers on the road was on Dec. 18, 2016, with Sebastian Janikowski kicking a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to win the game and send Oakland into the postseason.