Raiders vs. Chiefs: The path to the number one pick in the 2013 NFL Draft runs through Oakland

The Oakland Raiders are currenlty in the midst of an intense mid season race. No, not a playoff race, but rather, a race to the worst record in the NFL for the 2012-2013 season and the number one pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The race is currenlty comprised of three favorites, the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars who both stand at 2-11, and the Oakland Raiders who are one game back at 3-10. In addition, there are five dark horse teams who are still in the race with a 4-9 record.

In the next three weeks, the Raiders will take on both the Chiefs and the 4-9 Carolina Panthers, who remain in the race for worst despite having one more win than the Raiders. That means the Raiders can take a step closer to the number one pick with losses to teams they are in direct competition with for that dubious honor. With the Raiders playing as poorly as they have been, they clearly look like the worst team in the NFL, now all that is left is to prove it.

However, for the first time in a month, the Raiders are actually favored to win a game when Kansas City travels to the Oakland Coliseum on Sunday. The Raiders run the serious risk of losing the race for the worst if they choke and pull out a win against the lowly Chiefs. The Raiders need to continue down the path they started if they want to win the only prize left available to them, the number one pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.