RAIDERS : Playoff Picture Is Still Unclear

The Raiders have clinched a playoff spot, but their first-round opponent is far from being determined. If the Raiders defeat San Diego this Sunday and win the AFC West, they will receive a bye along with Buffalo and then wait for the outcome of two first-round games involving the three wild-card teams and the AFC Central Division champion.

Because Buffalo has clinched the conference’s best record, it is guaranteed a first-round game against the remaining wild-card team with the worst record.

A quick review of the new format: The division winner with the worst record, which will be the eventual AFC Central champion, will play host to the wild-card team with the worst record, leaving a game between the wild-card teams with the two best records. Those teams would be Kansas City and Miami at the moment.

Kansas City needs to defeat the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field this Saturday to remain alive for the AFC West title. The Chiefs received a motivational break when the New York Giants won Sunday and clinched the second first-round bye in the NFC along with San Francisco. It renders Saturday’s game against Kansas City meaningless for the NFC Central champion Bears, who are destined to play a first-round game as the divisional winner with the poorest record.