538 gives Raiders 70% chance to make the playoffs after 3-0 start

Marcus Mosher
·2 min read

The Raiders have managed to navigate a difficult early-season schedule in the best way possible. They have started 3-0 for the first time since 2002, which just so happens to be the last time they went to the Super Bowl.

After three weeks, the Raiders lead the AFC West and are in a great position to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2017. But just how likely is a playoff berth for the Raiders? Pretty likely.

According to FiveThirtyEight, the Raiders currently have a 70 percent chance to make the playoffs during the 2021 season. The site gives them about a 33 percent chance to win the division and a 16 percent chance to have a first-round bye. They are projecting the Raiders to go 11-6 this season and to win the AFC West after three weeks.

While it’s too early to be concerned about the division and a first-round bye, the Raiders are off to a great start. They will have an even better chance of making the playoffs if they can get a win in Week 4 when they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers on Monday Night Football.

For a team that many thought would only win five or six games this season, the Raiders are off to a fantastic start. If they can string together a few more early-season wins, this team will be a near-lock to make the playoffs. And that’s exactly what this franchise needs during Jon Gruden’s fourth year with the team.

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