By admin 
When the Raiders ripped off three wins to start the season, the playoffs became a realistic goal. But Las Vegas has thrown away that hot start.
Read more Camelback Invites Passholders To Name New Double Black Diamond Trail, Winner Earns Free Pass
After falling to the Bills in Week 6, the Raiders have lost three straight and sit at 3-3. It appears to be no coincidence that the Raiders’ three wins came against three of the worst teams in the NFL. As soon as Las Vegas started playing teams that have a real shot at the postseason, the losses started racking up.
But sitting back at .500, can the Raiders still think about the playoffs?
What the models are saying:
The Raiders are fading fast, as FTN Fantasy’s playoff model has their playoff odds at just 14.1 percent. When Las Vegas was 3-0, that number was at 42.8 percent. The three-game losing streak has lopped 28.7 percent off the Raiders’ postseason chances.
The Athletic is a bit more optimistic, slotting the Raiders at 22 percent to head to the playoffs.
Both sites have the Raiders as the 11th most likely team in the AFC to make it to the postseason. With seven teams qualifying, the Raiders will need to jump multiple teams in the pecking order to have a chance.
Read more Cowboys Urged to Trade for Super Bowl-Winning Pass Rusher Arizona Says It Won’t Move
Thanks to Kansas City’s 5-0 start, the Raiders have just a 2.4 percent chance to win the AFC West, meaning they’ll have to beat out teams like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England and Denver for a wild card spot.
Will this end up as a tanking season?
The Raiders committed to the tank last season by sitting Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers for the final two games of the regular season. It worked, as Las Vegas secured the number one pick in the draft.
After losing three straight games, the Raiders have a 9.9 percent chance to get a top five pick in the 2027 draft, according to FTN Fantasy. If Las Vegas suffers a few more losses, their playoff odds will likely fall below their chances to get a top five pick.
The Raiders likely won’t be chasing the top pick, but draft position can still be vital for a team with multiple holes across the roster.
Read more Ohio State NFL Draft Stock Watch: What Happens to Julian Sayin’s Draft Chances Moving Forward
Las Vegas Raiders Essentials
- The 5 best quarterbacks in Raiders history
- 5 best running backs in Raiders history
- 5 best wide receivers in Raiders history
- NFL’s richest owners: Where does Mark Davis rank?
- Tom Brady’s net worth, salary, and Raiders ownership
More on the Las Vegas Raiders
- Las Vegas Raiders Face a Tougher Backfield Call Than Expected
- Tyler Linderbaum Struggles Amplified and More PFF Grades From Raiders’ Loss to Bills
- The Raiders Don’t Have Any Good Answers on the Offensive Line
- Klint Kubiak Believes the Raiders Ran the Ball Well Against Bills
Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published October 21, 2026 at 6:00 AM.