MIAMI — Last season the Raiders’ year ended Jan. 7 with a playoff loss to the Houston Texans. This season could’ve ended for Oakland Sunday night, two months earlier, in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins.
But contrary to what anyone who’s watched the Raiders play this season would think, Oakland is right back in the thick of things after nine games.
That’s what a 4-5 record gets you in the AFC these days, and the Raiders stand there after a 27-24 win over the Dolphins (4-4) Sunday night. A loss would’ve dropped the Raiders to 3-6 and realistically out of the playoff race already, with the Patriots, Eagles and Chiefs, among others, on the horizon.