Jack Del Rio cites "Dumb and Dumber" on Oakland Raiders playoff chances

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- There were no Jim Mora-style "playoffs!" rants from Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio when he addressed his team's chances. Instead, only a reference to a Jim Carrey movie.

"I think we're a 1 percent chance or something," Del Rio said. "That's not real good odds. It's kind of like the 'Dumb and Dumber' deal . . . so we still have a chance?"

In the movie, Carrey is told by actress Lauren Holly his chances are a "million to one" and he is ecstatic at the news.

Del Rio wasn't ecstatic. He was disappointed.

"Our fans were so fired up, there's nothing more that are team wanted to do than deliver a big victory and put ourselves in second place in the thick of the playoff hunt."

--Fullback Jamize Olawale was signed to a three-year contract extension reportedly worth $6 million. Olawale has 24 rushes for 110 yards and eight receptions for 70 yards. The 32 offensive touches more than doubles the 17 he had the previous three seasons.

Olawale remains a mainstay on the Raiders special teams.

"It's a great feeling to be part of the plans going forward," Olawale said. "I'm just excited about what we're building here."

Players such as Olawale and wide receiver Seth Roberts made big impressions on the new coaching staff, which did not care that neither was a drafted player.

"We arrived with an open mind, tried the bests we could to just let guys compete," Del Rio said. "Some guys have emerged, like Maze (Jamize) and like Seth. Some of these guys are recreating who they are or just establishing for the first time who they are."

--Tight end Clive Walford is coming off a game in which he caught a season-high five passes for 53 yards. Every pass Carr threw his way was completed.

"Clive's done a nice job," Del Rio said. "We envisioned when we brought him here of bringing that ability to be a guy that can block and catch. I think he's developing nicely."

Walford, who has 18 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns, was a third-round draft pick out of Miami who has no interest in being a glorified wideout.

"I feel like that's an insult if someone says I'm a receiving tight end, because I can do both," Walford said. "I take a lot of pride in my blocking."

--Quarterback Derek Carr said if he had the height of Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler, chances are good he'd be playing another sport.

"If I was 6-8 I'd play shooting guard," Carr said. "I love basketball. I just stopped growing."

--The development of Raiders defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack in Year 2 has come as no surprise to Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith.

Smith, who was with the Raiders last season, saw Mack get just four sacks but rank among the league leaders in pressures in addition to being a dominant run defender. Mack is still tough against the run, but also ranks among the NFL leaders with nine sacks.

"I've seen exactly what I thought he was going to be when I first saw him," Smith told Bay Area reporters by conference call. "He's going to be a special kid in this league. I think everybody that saw him the first day he came knew he was going to be something special. You see him out there dominating the run and the pass."

--One week after playing just five snaps and being given time to think about it, 2013 first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden played 24 snaps as a nickel back and will likely stay in that role.

Hayden held up well in coverage, as Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith did not target him with a pass. It's something Peyton Manning would have done for sure, but Brock Osweiler more likely will let the system dictate the location of his throws.

--Defensive end Khalil Mack did not participate in practice with a knee injury and his status is unknown for Denver.

--Safety Nate Allen injured a knee against the Chiefs, and did not participate in practice and may not face Denver.

--Center Rodney Hudson did not participate in practice with an ankle injury and has missed three of the last four games.

--Safety Charles Woodson did not participate in practice but is expected to face the Broncos.

--Linebacker Neiron Ball did not participate in practice and is expected to be put on injured reserve, ending his season.

--Defensive end Shelby Harris injured an ankle against Kansas City, did not participate in practice, and may not face Denver.