The Brutal End?: Raiders Close 2022 With Grueling Schedule
In order to make the playoffs, the Las Vegas Raiders must battle through an insanely difficult end to the 2022 NFL season.
Historical Context
When the Raiders went on their jaw-dropping 4-0 run to finish the 2021 season and sneak into the playoffs, they had to get through one team that would join them in the postseason. However, the 2022 season appears to be shaping up in a very different direction, as the Raiders’ last five games of the regular season will feature five 2021 playoff teams.
Litmus Test
From Week 14, the Raiders will visit the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers in alternating home and away games before wrapping up their season with two games at home against the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. While it may be a bit late in the year for a “measuring stick” game against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Raiders will get a chance to prove their worth against the Rams on Thursday Night Football. At this point, it would be safe to assume any lingering effects of a Super Bowl hangover will have subsided as the Rams gear up for a return to the playoffs, so the Raiders will have to be at their best.
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L.A. Story
Slowing down the Matthew Stafford/Cooper Kupp connection should be the defense’s main key to success while (like their season-long goal) the Raiders offense should be hyperfocused on scoring touchdowns on every red zone appearance. Following the Rams, the Raiders will use their extended week to prepare for the Patriots, who boast many similar characteristics as the Rams, albeit not as prominently. Like the Raiders, the Patriots exited the 2021 playoffs in the Wild Card Round, after being trounced by the Buffalo Bills 47-17.
The Fight For Seeding
New England will most likely be looking to build on their playoff appearance, while quarterback Mac Jones will be doing his best to carry his momentum from 2021 through the season and avoid the sophomore slump. After the Patriots, the Raiders will return to Heinz Field to face the Steelers for the second year in a row. In 2021, Pittsburgh limped into the playoffs, and with the departure of Ben Roethlisberger, may find themselves on the outside of the playoff hunt, giving the Raiders a bit of a breather during the stretch. Recently, the Steelers have let their defense do the heavy lifting during successes, so the Raiders must put an emphasis on ball security.
Forty-Nine Problems
Heading back to Las Vegas to finish out the year, the Raiders bring in the 49ers. San Francisco is in a bit of a quarterback controversy, even after Jimmy Garoppolo brought them to the NFC Championship game last year. The 49ers’ defense is impeccable, but Garoppolo potentially keeping his starting job and Deebo Samuel’s continuous refusal to be used as a utility player should give the Raiders a bit of a fighting chance.
Pivotal Finale
To end the season, the Raiders welcome the Chiefs in a game that will surely have some sort of playoff implications. Although the Raiders have not beat the Chiefs since their infamous “Arrowhead Lap”, they will most likely have to snap that streak during this season to keep their playoff hopes alive. Las Vegas has had a minor habit of letting the season slip in the second half, but with their final five games appearing to be slugfests, the Raiders will have to be at the top of their game all season long.
