Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Stacking up all 32 teams heading into Week 15

By Peter Panacy

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 10: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders yells from the sidelines during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 10: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Oakland Raiders yells from the sidelines during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

. L, 26-15 at Chiefs. Previous: . Oakland Raiders. 15. team. 28

There was a point in this AFC West showdown where the Raiders were trailing the Kansas City Chiefs 26-0 going into the fourth quarter.

For both teams, this was as big a must-win contest there could be, in what has turned into a strange division. And for the Raiders to lose out here, well, that puts their playoff prognosis in serious jeopardy.

Oakland isn’t eliminated just yet, but that time is coming close. What’s even more troubling is how problematic the Raiders’ once-potent offense has turned in recent weeks. Quarterback Derek Carr also seems to have regressed since last year, and wide receiver Amari Cooper has all but disappeared from the game plan.

Not even veteran Marshawn Lynch has been a real difference maker.

Oh, and the defensive woes. But we knew about those already.

Biggest Question

Head coach Jack Del Rio ushered in some coordinator changes recently, but the same issues are repeating themselves. I’ve heard some buzz around the league suggesting he’s good at turning programs around but not so much at carrying them to that perennial-playoff level.

Is another change at head coach looming in Oakland?