Raiders would lock up the No. 5 seed with a win in Week 18
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders go into their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers with their season on the line and could end up with the No. 5 seed with a win.
It all comes down to this, as the Las Vegas Raiders play host to the Los Angeles Chargers inside Allegiant Stadium in Week 18. With a victory over the Chargers, the Raiders will punch their ticket to the playoffs, something they have only done once since the 2002 NFL season.
The last time they were in the playoffs was bittersweet, as starting quarterback Derek Carr broke his ankle on Christmas Eve, and was forced to miss the Wild Card matchup against Houston. Healthy now, Carr would be available for the Raiders as long as they win, and he stays upright against the Chargers, so he will make his first playoff appearance as the starter for the Silver and Black.
A win on Sunday night would be huge for Carr and this franchise, and where they end up could surprise people.
Raiders would take on Cincinnati in the Wild Card round
Based on the ESPN Playoff Machine simulator, thanks to the win by the New England Patriots over Miami, the Raiders would actually clinch the No. 5 seed with a victory against Los Angeles. That would set up a game against the No.4 seed in the Cincinnati Bengals, who are led by an incredible young quarterback of their own.
Las Vegas has a chance to not only win this game on Sunday night but get a favorable draw in the playoffs, where Joe Burrow will be starting his first playoff game as well. Cincinnati has been outstanding this season and has already beaten Las Vegas this year, but as we see all the time, beating the same team twice in one season is very tough to do.