After coming out of the bye week with two big wins over the Chargers and Jets, there was talk that the Raiders could compete for an AFC Wild Card playoff berth, snapping a twelve-year drought. Those talks are now nothing but fond memories after the Raiders dropped their third straight game, falling to 4-6, in a loss to the formerly 2-7 Detroit Lions.
So what happened to the new look Raiders? Why the collapse? A tight loss to the playoff contending Steelers in Pittsburgh was almost expected. Losing to a very good, playoff bound Vikings team at home was disappointing but not embarrassing.