Jon Gruden was welcomed back for a second stint as Oakland Raiders coach on Tuesday, now he’ll be tasked with getting them back to the postseason. Based on his starting point, however, an immediate return to the playoffs is unlikely in 2018.
To be competitive with the Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) and Los Angeles Chargers (9-7), the Raiders would have to win at least four more games than they did in 2017, which will be difficult considering their net point differential was five points per game worse than expected after accounting for the down, distance and field position of each play for and against.