Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?
Actually, yes.
With the Las Vegas Raiders off to a 3-1 start to the 2026 NFL season, and their lone loss being a "we have arrived" showing against the Kansas City Chiefs, folks are starting to talk about the Silver and Black as a legitimate postseason contender. Some have even uttered the words "Super Bowl."
And while that may still be a bridge too far, if you get to the dance, anything is possible. Just getting a spot at the party has been tough for the Raiders this millennium, as they've been to the postseason just twice since 2002. Their appearances came five years apart in 2016 and 2021... and now it's 2026.
So, maybe there is something to this "every five years" thing. Or maybe Klint Kubiak's team is just flat-out good and could snap the franchise's 24-year drought without a playoff win. Either way, through a quarter of the campaign, the Raiders are still clinging to a wildcard spot after a loss to the Chiefs.
Updated AFC Playoff Picture after Week 4 has Raiders clinging to wildcard spot
1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
3. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-1)
5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
6. Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)
7. New England Patriots (2-2)
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8. Denver Broncos (2-2)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
10. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
12. New York Jets (1-3)
13. Tennessee Titans (0-4)
14. Los Angeles Chargers (0-4)
15. Houston Texans (0-4)
16. Miami Dolphins (0-4)
Yes, that is Las Vegas, hanging out with the big dogs in the AFC. Kansas City is the only undefeated team in the conference after taking down the Raiders in Week 4, so they have reclaimed their throne, at least for now. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills hanging just behind them are no surprise.
Of course, if the playoffs started today, the Silver and Black would have a tough winter matchup in Buffalo against the best quarterback in the league, and they'd be facing the winner of the Jaguars and the New England Patriots if they won. But of course, much will change over the next 14 weeks.
Speaking of which, this Raiders-Patriots game will be consequential. Although it is early, every AFC win matters, especially when it comes to the wild-card race. With the Chiefs and Bills looking like frontrunners, Las Vegas and New England could be jockeying for seeding all year.
This win matters a great deal now, and could matter even more down the road.
Elsewhere, Cleveland and Baltimore are battling for first place in the AFC North, and the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are not far behind. This division may come down to the wire. And after four games, there isn't much separation, but there have still been some shocking results so far.
The Denver Broncos sitting at 2-2 was not necessarily expected, although they have faced a difficult schedule in the early going. They are right on Las Vegas' tail, and if the Raiders drop one on the road to the Patriots and the Broncos beat the Chargers, things will be all knotted up between these two.
As far as the bottom dwellers in the AFC, the Miami Dolphins being at the bottom surprises nobody, and the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets hanging around in the cellar is no shock, either. But the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans being a combined 0-8 was on nobody's Bingo card.
For all intents and purposes, these two franchises have practically eliminated themselves from contention, as only one team in history has rallied from an 0-4 start to make the postseason. Again, a lot can change, but the odds and history are really against these two expected contenders.
Las Vegas is still sitting pretty through four weeks, but more work needs to be done if they want to unseat the current No. 1 seed Chiefs. And winning in Week 5 against the Patriots will keep them ahead of the 8-Ball and could pay off big-time down the road. It will also keep Denver at bay.
And, as always, Raider Nation, cheer for the NFC team when they are facing an AFC team.
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