Raiders keep their playoff hopes alive

The Raiders last two wins have been far from pretty but they counted. The Las Vegas Raiders moved above .500 on Sunday keeping their playoff hopes alive with a 17-13 win over their rival Denver Broncos.

The Raiders came into Sunday with the fourth-worst rushing attack in the league, averaging 85.6 ground yards per game. However, that was not the case Sunday as Josh Jacobs was the bellcow rushing 27 times for 129 yards. Peyton Barber was involved as well, as he rushed five times for 22 yards and a touchdown. Jacobs” 129 yards, tied a career high. It also marked the first 100-yard outing this season and his first since Nov. 15, 2020 against the Broncos. Jacobs is having a down year averaging a career-low 45.7 rushing yards per game. He saved his best game when the Raiders needed it the most.

As for the Broncos Drew Locke got the start for an injured Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos offense was incredibly quiet despite the Broncos defense forcing three Raiders turnovers. Locke completed 15 of 22 passes for 153 yards. Broncos receivers dropped several passes and then the run game offered no help either, as Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams combined for eight yards and one touchdown on 14 carries.

This game was completely critical for both teams' playoff lives. For the Raiders they control their own destiny by winning out so they could sneak into the wildcard picture. The Raiders play the Colts and Chargers the next two weeks. Colts have one of the wildcard spots and the Chargers had the other and coughed it away after a tough loss to the Texans. As for the Broncos it would take several miracles for them to make the playoffs. The loss dropped them to 7-8. They travel to L.A. to take on the Chargers. They then host the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 9 to wrap up the regular season.