Raiders eliminated from playoff contention with Sunday’s loss to 49ers
Jan 2, 2023, 8:48 AM | Updated: 8:49 am
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 01: Brandon Bolden #34 of the Las Vegas Raiders is tackled by Azeez Al-Shaair #51 of the San Francisco 49ers and Jimmie Ward #1 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
It’s official, the Las Vegas Raiders are no longer in contention to make the postseason.
With Sunday’s 37-34 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the 6-10 Raiders were knocked out of the playoff race. If they had won, they’d still be in it Monday morning because the teams they needed to lose — the Dolphins, Titans and Jets — all lost in Week 17.
Next week, the Raiders take on their division rival Kansas City Chiefs at home to close out the 2022 season. All year, coach Josh McDaniels has preached no moral victories. But, a win in Week 18 would mean the Chiefs could not secure the number one seen in the AFC.
After Sunday’s game, McDaniels was asked how he gets his guys motivated for a game with these conditions. He said he’s not worried about his team not being motivated.
“I think we have pros, and we have great leadership, great captains,” McDaniels said. “We saw that today. Things change, things happen, injuries occur, sign guys to the roster, bring guys up from the practice squad. None of that stuff matters at the end of the day in the National Football League. We have a game that’s on the schedule. We’re going to play our butt off, coach our butt off and see if we can win it. And I think we’ve done that all year, and I do not expect that to change next week.”
🔴🎥 Live: Coach Josh McDaniels and Jarrett Stidham address the media live from Allegiant Stadium. https://t.co/QLzvmk8DlG
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 2, 2023
