PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Postseason Hopes Officially Dashed

In dropping to 6-8 Monday night, the Raiders were officially eliminated from contention for the final AFC playoff spot.

But, as of Tuesday morning, they were still listed as alive by the NFL office. A reporter’s call prompted further research that determined the Raiders were out by virtue of the fourth tiebreaker in the fourth category of a confusing tiebreaking system.

Five of the six AFC playoff spots have been determined.

The best the Raiders can do is 8-8. Four other teams--Houston (8-6), Cleveland (7-7), Indianapolis (7-7), and Denver (7-7)--could also finish 8-8 and contend for the final playoff spot, assuming that Cleveland beats Houston Sunday.

The first step in a five-team tie at 8-8 is to eliminate clubs from the same division. Cleveland would beat out Houston in the head-to-head matchup.

The Broncos and the Raiders split their two meetings, but the Raiders would win the next tiebreaker--best record in the division--assuming they and the Broncos finish 8-8.

It gets more confusing.

The three remaining clubs would then be the Raiders, Cleveland and Indianapolis.

The second tiebreaker would be one club beating both of the others. That would not apply.

The third tiebreaker would be record within the conference. That would be even.

So it would come down to common opponents. Indianapolis would be 2-3 in that category if the Colts beat Cincinnati in their season finale. The Raiders and Browns would be 1-3, eliminating them.

If Indianapolis loses to Cincinnati, that leaves Cleveland and the Raiders. Then, the Browns win because they beat the Raiders.