Raiders’ Possibilities Complicated but Simple: Win and They’re In

All the Raiders know for sure at this point is that they won’t have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. They can’t catch the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3).

But beyond that, all things are possible for the 8-6 Raiders, all things good and bad, everything from a division title to sitting out the postseason.

If they win their remaining two games, the Raiders are guaranteed a playoff spot and could even win the AFC West if the San Diego Chargers lose their final two games, on the road against the New York Jets and at home against the Steelers.

If the Raiders and San Diego both finish 10-6, the Chargers will win the division because the two split their head-to-head competition and San Diego would have the better division record at 6-2. The Raiders would be 5-3.