The first two weeks of the NFL season couldn’t have gone any better for the Las Vegas Raiders. They have now scored 34 points in each of the first two games of the year and have started 2-0 for the first time in several years.
In Week 3, they will take on a talented Patriots team on the road. Heading into that contest, the Raiders currently have a 59 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.com.
With a win, that percentage could go into the 70s as the Raiders would start 3-0 and could potentially be leading the division if Kansas City falls to Baltimore on Monday Night Football. A loss by the Chiefs and a win by the Raiders would move their playoff percentage into the mid-70s per FiveThirtyEight.
With a loss, that percentage will drop down to 50 percent or so as they would be 2-1 to start the year. With as tough as an opening schedule as the Raiders have, it’s still an impressive start to the season.
Week 3 is a big test for the Raiders. If they can manage to find a way to upset New England, the hype surrounding this team could reach new levels. If that happens, the Raiders should be well on their way to clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.
