Raiders Playoff Chances 2022: Scenarios For Las Vegas To Make Postseason Picture In Week 18

Even though the Las Vegas Raiders enter the final week of the season as the AFC’s No. 8 seed and on the outside of the 2022 NFL playoff picture, the team still controls its own destiny. There are multiple scenarios for Las Vegas to clinch a postseason berth.

The Raiders’ playoff chances will probably be determined by their Week 18 game. Las Vegas hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on “Sunday Night Football” in the regular-season finale. The winner of the AFC West matchup gets a wild-card spot.

Los Angeles has the edge as a three-point road favorite. Las Vegas is given +130 odds to win the game outright, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Chargers beat the Raiders 28-14 in Week 4. Las Vegas started the season with three straight wins.

It’s possible, though not probable, that the Raiders could make the playoffs before their game kicks off Sunday night. Las Vegas would clinch a wild-card spot if the Indianapolis Colts lose in Week 18 and if the Pittsburgh Steelers lose one of their final two games.

Pittsburgh hosts the Cleveland Browns Monday night and visits the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. Indianapolis is a 15-point favorite in its Week 18 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have clinched the worst record in the AFC.

The Raiders kept their playoffs chances alive by upsetting the Colts with a 23-20 victory in Indianapolis in Week 17. Daniel Carlson made a 33-yard field goal as time expired to give Las Vegas the win.

Las Vegas enters Week 18 on a three-game winning streak. The Raiders had lost five of their previous six games, nearly destroying their playoff hopes.

The Colts and Chargers are the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds, respectively, in the latest AFC playoff picture.

The Raiders last made the playoffs when they earned a wild-card berth in the 2016 season. It is the team’s only postseason appearance since losing in Super Bowl XXXVII to conclude the 2002 season.

Las Vegas’ 18 years between playoff wins is the fourth-longest drought in the NFL.