Oakland Raiders making the playoffs not as crazy as it seems

Despite the fact the Oakland Raiders need a lot of help to make the playoffs, there is a real possibility all the dominoes could fall into place in Week 17.

The Oakland Raiders once sat at 6-4, looking like a true playoff team, and one that could even challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for first place in the AFC West.  Then came their terrible four-game losing streak, a stretch that saw them fall to 6-8, including an embarrassing loss in their final game inside the Coliseum.

However, after four teams took care of business in the early window in Week 16, and the Raiders went on the “road” to beat the Los Angeles Chargers, they are still very much alive in the AFC playoff race. With a win on Sunday, coupled with a Indianapolis win over Jacksonville, a Houston win over Tennessee, and a Baltimore win over Pittsburgh, the Raiders could become the No. 6 seed in the AFC.

While that seems like a miracle, let us look at the statistics going into Week 17. Heading into Week 16, the team had a less than 1 percent chance of them pulling off this playoff scenario, but now, they have over an 11 percent chance to make it.

To make matters even more interesting, all three teams the Raiders need to win on Sunday can certainly do so, as they are all divisional matches. While Baltimore is resting some of their key players, they still have enough talent to beat a terrible Steelers team, which will have to roll with Duck Hodges as their starter against a tough Ravens defense.

Indianapolis is coming off a blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, and is playing good football right now. In the Houston and Tennessee game, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has already said he plans to play his starters, as his Texans are looking to lock up the No. 3 overall seed in the AFC.

In addition to all of this happening, the Raiders also need one of the following teams to win as well, the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, or Detroit Lions.

Seems wild right? Well, that is because it is, but remember, they needed a ton of help to even stay alive in Week 16 and that happened. All three teams that need to win their matchups on Sunday can, and it can be said that the Raiders beating the Broncos is actually the hardest checkmark to check in this scenario.

Oakland could have Josh Jacobs back for this game, and they are facing a rookie quarterback in Drew Lock. Overall, Oakland has a legitimate chance to make the playoffs this Sunday, which would have seemed extremely far-fetched after the team lost to the Jaguars in Week 15.

Sure, a lot of things have to happen for the Raiders to take on the No. 6 seed in the AFC Playoffs, but they have put themselves in position to accomplish the miracle. The NFL has moved all games concerning this playoff scenario to the 1:25pm PT slate, so buckle in Raider Nation, it is going to be one crazy Week 17.