Silver Minings: The Raiders’ hopes for the playoffs are all but gone

What looked like a promising start to the season has quickly turned into a forgettable one. Sitting at 6-3 on the year, the Raiders were in prime position to take a wild card spot in the playoffs this season. Now, they sit at 7-7, and with two games remaining they’ll need a miracle to sneak in.

Las Vegas has gone 1-4 in their last five games, with their lone win being a miracle against the New York Jets. Even with a seventh team making it in the AFC this season, the Raiders’ hopes look shot. The first six spots look to be locked in, unless the Titans, Browns or Colts go 0-2 and the Raiders go 2-0.

The final spot is still up for grabs, as the Dolphins and Ravens are both tied at 8-5. The Raiders desperately need either team (preferably both) to lose this weekend, and then hope for chaos to close out the season. Luckily, Vegas will face the Dolphins next week, so that game can potentially decide the final spot.

Of course, anything can happen. In a year that has seen so much craziness, maybe the Raiders could get a little crazy and pull off the miracle to end the year.

In other Raiders’ news:

• By the Numbers: Raiders fall to Chargers, but improve run defense dramatically.
• Marcus Mariota earned nearly an extra $1 million after his debut with the Las Vegas Raiders.
• Darren Waller dedicates monster performance to memory of former teammate and friend.
• Colin Cowherd has blunt comment about Jon Gruden.