The Las Vegas Raiders will be watching the television on Saturday, as NFC teams can help their playoff chances on Christmas Day.
The Las Vegas Raiders will take on division rival Denver in Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season, a huge late-season matchup inside Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. While their game is slated for Sunday, they will definitely have all eyes set on the two matchups in the NFL on Saturday, as they have major implications in terms of the AFC Playoff picture.
Both games are crucial in terms of the Raiders continuing their push towards their first playoff appearance since the 2016 campaign, and the Silver and Black are banking on the NFC to get the job done for them. The matchups feature the Cleveland Browns heading to Green Bay to take on the Packers, and the Indianapolis Colts heading to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
These are tough road games for two AFC teams that are currently in play for one of the seven playoff spots in the conference, and both are very winnable games for the NFC opponent.
Raiders are in great shape if the NFC sweeps today
Looking at the playoff machine over at ESPN, which is quite addicting if I may say so myself, you can see that the Raiders would be in great shape if the Cardinals and Packers win today. The two wins would move the Baltimore Ravens into the No. 7 seed in the AFC, a team the Raiders have already beaten, and the good look could continue for the Raiders the rest of the week.
If they beat the Broncos in their Week 16 matchup, and Cincinnati beats Baltimore at home, Kansas City beats Pittsburgh at home, and New England beats Buffalo at home, the Raiders would actually hold the No. 7 seed in the AFC going into Week 17.
Crazy when you think about it after everything this team has been through.
Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 Week 16 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
The Las Vegas Raiders play for their playoff lives in Week 16, and here is some Raiders fantasy football advice to keep your fantasy team alive as well.
Of course, Las Vegas has to take care of business first and foremost on Sunday, because a loss would make a playoff berth a near-impossible task. Of course, they would still be alive, but there are some dominoes that could fall in Week 16 that would significantly improve their playoff chances heading into the biggest game of the season in Week 17 against the Colts.