With a 3-0 start to the season, the Las Vegas Raiders looked like a potential postseason sleeper. However, the Week 7 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams makes it four in a row for the Silver and Black, dropping the Raiders’ record to 3-4. That results in Las Vegas’ playoff hopes sliding as we take a look at the updated AFC playoff picture.
[Editor’s note: The standings below are before the Kansas City Chiefs-Seattle Seahawks game has completed on Sunday Night Football. Silver and Black Pride will
provide an update when that game goes final.]
AFC playoff standings
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
2. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
3. Cleveland Browns (5-2, win over PIT for AFC North lead)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
5. Denver Broncos (5-2, 2-1 AFC for 1st Wild Card spot tiebreaker)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, loss to CLE, 2-2 AFC)
7. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)
8. New England Patriots (4-3, 4-1 AFC for tiebreaker over BAL)
9. Baltimore Ravens (4-3, 2-2 AFC)
10. Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)
11. New York Jets (2-5, 2-2 AFC for tiebreaker over IND)
12. Indianapolis Colts (2-5, win over HOU, 1-4 AFC)
13. Houston Texans (2-5, loss to IND)
14. Miami Dolphins (1-5)
15. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
16. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)
So, as it stands, the Raiders’ best chance at earning a playoff spot is for the third and final AFC Wild Card spot. They’re a game-and-a-half behind the Bengals for the seventh seed, and one game behind the Patriots and the Ravens. However, New England owns the tiebreaker over Las Vegas with the head-to-head win, so the Raiders are really a game-and-a-half behind the Patriots too.
The Raiders head to the Jets next week for what feels like as close to a midseason elimination game as possible for both teams. Meanwhile, the Bengals host the Titans, New England is at Miami, and the Ravens are on the road against the Bills.
