Raiders no longer in control of playoff destiny

MIAMI -- The most disappointing aspect of Oakland's loss to Miami on Sunday?Perhaps the fact that the Raiders no longer control their playoff destiny.Sure, a quick glance at the standings show the Raiders still sharing first place in the AFC West with Denver at 7-5. But a deeper look reveals the Broncos owning a tiebreaker and thus, the Raiders on the outside looking in if the playoffs were to begin today.Because while the Raiders and Broncos have already split their season series, the Broncos currently have a better record within the division, 3-2 to 2-2.And with a final four schedule of games at undefeated Green Bay, home against Detroit, at Kansas City and home against San Diego, how putrid the Raiders looked in all three phases of the game against the Dolphins in their 34-14 blowout and injuries severely limiting the offense, the worry on the part of Raiders fans is understandable.
Especially since the Broncos seemingly refuse to lose with Tim Tebow at quarterback and three of the Broncos' four remaining games at home.Denver's next two games are at Sports Authority Field, against a reeling Chicago and a rejuvenated New England, before hitting the road to Buffalo. The Broncos then close the season in Denver against Kansas City.If the Raiders and Broncos are still tied at the end of the season, both in overall record and division record, the third tie-breaker is "best won-lost-tied percentage in common games."Oakland and Denver will have had 12 games against 10 common opponents -- Kansas City, San Diego, Green Bay, Miami, Detroit, the New York Jets, Minnesota, Chicago, New England and Buffalo -- and right now, Denver is better there, too, going 5-3 against those teams while the Raiders are 4-4. The fourth tie-breaking procedure is "best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference," and the Broncos are 6-3 in the AFC while the Raiders are 5-5.The fifth tie-breaking procedure is "strength of victory" while the sixth tie-breaker is "strength of schedule."At 7-5, the Raiders also have the same record as wildcard leader Cincinnati and playoff contender Tennessee. But tiebreakers have Oakland currently sitting out as the No. 8 seed (six teams qualify for the playoffs in each conference, the four division winners and two wild cards).The Raiders are mindful of the Broncos catching and, technically, passing them in the standings, as evidenced by a handful of players asking for a Broncos score in the gloom of their own post-game locker room Sunday in Miami.Denver is in the driver's seat and Oakland needs helps.Still, the Raiders are keeping a stone face."The good thing is," said Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer, looking ahead to the Packers, "you've got a chance for redemption if you beat a team that's undefeated. And that can get you back on the right track."One step at a time, right?