.png)
Now with the playoffs out of reach, the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to end a three-game losing streak with a win over a divisional rival in the season finale.
Vegas heads to Denver for a season finale contest against the Broncos Sunday, Jan. 3, with kickoff set for 1:25 p.m.
Last week the team suffered a crushing loss to the Miami Dolphins which resulted in the Raiders being eliminated from playoff contention.
Vegas hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016.
The current three-game losing streak is the longest of the season for the team, with its last two losses coming by a combined four points.
The Raiders will take a 5-2 road record to Denver, looking to improve on their 3-2 AFC West record.
On the other hand, the Broncos have lost four of their last five games and are 2-5 at Empower Field from Mile High.
In addition, Denver is 1-4 in the division.
Tight end Darren Waller heads into the last week of the season with a chance to cement his name in more Raider history.
He enters Week 17 with 98 receptions, 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns, six receptions away from tying Tim Brown’s franchise record set in 1997.
Waller already holds the franchise record for receptions by a tight end.
In other tight end news, veteran Jason Witten can pass Tony Gonzalez for second-most games all-time among tight ends.
Quarterback Derek Carr is expected to start, giving him an opportunity to play in all 16 regular season games for the third straight year and fifth time in his career.
He has completed 68 percent of his passes and needs less than 300 yards to eclipse 4,000 yards for the season.
Carr also has 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Running back Josh Jacobs also enters the game with a chance at back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career.
As of today, he has 976 yards on 258 carries and 10 touchdowns.
Jacobs and company may have a rough go at things as tackle Trent Brown listed as out with a knee injury.
Brown has only played in five games this season.
Guard/tackle Denzelle Good (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. (calf) and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner (thigh) are all listed as questionable.
It will be the third game for the Joyner-less Raider defense under interim defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
Coming into the game, Vegas’ defense allows nearly 30 points per game giving up more than 120 rushing yards per game.
Denver will attempt to attack that defense with second year quarterback Drew Lock and starting running back Melvin Gordon.
Running back Phillip Lindsay was placed on injured-reserve last week with an ailing hip and knee.