It seems like a simple path for the Raiders to carve out to reach the playoffs. Just like the headline says, win their last game and they're in.
However, the Los Angeles Chargers are also fighting to get in, making the Week 18 Sunday primetime game one of the biggest division games of the year.
After defeating the Colts in Week 17, the Raiders now hold a 53 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight's simulations – up from the estimated 16 percent they sat at before last Sunday's contest.
It's important to note that the Raiders could earn a wild-card spot without a win if either of these two scenarios occur:
- Raiders tie and a Colts loss
- Colts loss and a Steelers loss or tie
Seeding-wise, the Raiders have a chance at the fifth, sixth or seventh seeds.
To reach the fifth seed:
- Raiders win + a Patriots loss OR
- Raiders win + a Bills loss
To reach the sixth seed:
- Raiders win + a Patriots win or tie + a Bills win or tie
To reach the seventh seed:
- Raiders tie + Colts loss OR
- Raiders loss + Colts loss + Steelers loss or tie
Take a look at the full AFC standings ahead of Week 18 below:
| Current AFC Standings | Upcoming Games |
|---|---|
| 1. Tennessee Titans (11-5) – clinched AFC South | at Texans |
| 2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) – clinched AFC West | at Broncos |
| 3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) – clinched AFC North | at Browns |
| 4. Buffalo Bills (10-6) – clinched playoff spot | vs. Jets |
| 5. New England Patriots (10-6) – clinched playoff spot | at Dolphins |
| 6. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) | at Jaguars |
| 7. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) | at Raiders |
| 8. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) | vs. Chargers |
| 9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) | at Ravens |
| 10. Miami Dolphins (8-8) – eliminated from playoffs | vs. Patriots |
| 11. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) | vs. Steelers |
| 12. Cleveland Browns (7-9) – eliminated from playoffs | vs. Bengals |
| 13. Denver Broncos (7-9) – eliminated from playoffs | vs. Chiefs |
| 14. New York Jets (4-12) – eliminated from playoffs | at Bills |
| 15. Houston Texans (4-12) – eliminated from playoffs | vs. Titans |
| 16. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) – eliminated from playoffs | vs. Colts |
View director of photography Michael Clemens' top picks of black and white photos from the Raiders' Week 17 victory against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
A close up of a jersey in the locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby's (98) jersey in the locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs' (28) locker in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
A cross necklace hangs from a locker in the locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James' (68) jersery in the locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller's (74) locker in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
A Las Vegas Raiders helmet in the locker room with a logo honoring John Madden prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
A Las Vegas Raiders beanie in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) arrives to the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) arrives to the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Tony Brown (20) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive line coach Tom Cable before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (77) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
A Las Vegas Raiders fan holds a sign honoring John Madden before the Raiders' regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Las Vegas Raiders returners huddle in the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Darius Philon (96) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Peyton Barber (31) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) fires the team up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) warming up before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia walks down the tunnel before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) waits to be introduced onto the field before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Las Vegas Raiders wait to be introduced onto the field before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) waits to be introduced onto the field before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) before the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (5) on the sidelines before the Las Vegas Raiders regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (92) lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the sidelines during the Las Vegas Raiders regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (7) on the field during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the sidelines during the Las Vegas Raiders regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) on the sidelines during the Las Vegas Raiders regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Desmond Trufant (10) on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams unit huddles on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the Indianapolis Colts.
