Not many people would’ve thought that the Las Vegas Raiders would be paying attention to the AFC Playoff picture this season, but after five weeks, that’s exactly what fans are doing. The team got off to a 3-0 start, opening up all types of possibilities for what was believed to be a rebuilding year.
Las Vegas has since lost its last two games, but with so much football left to be played, the Raiders have plenty of time to get back on track and be a factor when the second season starts. Fortunately, at 3-2, Las Vegas is still in the AFC playoff picture, despite losing its last two games.
Raiders are holding on to Wild Card spot in updated AFC Playoff Picture after Week 5
1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
2. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)
4. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
5. New England Patriots (3-2)
6. Denver Broncos (3-2)
7. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
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8. Cleveland Browns (3-2)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
11. New York Jets (2-3)
12. Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
13. Houston Texans (1-4)
14. Tennessee Titans (0-5)
15. Los Angeles Chargers (0-5)
16. Miami Dolphins (0-5)
Based on the current standings, the Raiders would have the final Wild Card spot, entering the postseason as the eighth seed. However, the playoffs don’t start today, and there are 13 more weeks of regular season football. That’s both a good and bad thing for the Raiders. The bad side of things is that’s a long time to remain in the picture, but the good side is Las Vegas has plenty of opportunity to move up the picture to more favorable slots.
Currently sitting atop the AFC are the Raiders’ rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are the only remaining undefeated team in the AFC, and they had their bye week in Week 5. Kansas City’s last game was in Week 4, defeating Las Vegas 30-27.
After the Chiefs are three 4-1 teams: the usual AFC Powerhouses Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have been one of the league’s best teams over the last season and a half.
Then the picture gets to the 3-2 tier, where Vegas is currently sitting. Six AFC teams are currently 3-2, but the tiebreakers have the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Raiders, as the three Wild Card teams, while the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals are on the outside looking in.
The New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts are holding on with their two wins, and the Houston Texans are hoping for another amazing turnaround after picking up their first win of the season in Week 5. The Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Miami Dolphins are all winless, and are already focused on the 2027 Draft order.
The NFL is only entering Week 6, so with so much football left to be played, this playoff picture has plenty of shuffling to undergo.
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