Here's How the Chargers and Raiders Can Make the Playoffs
By Matt De Saro
Every NFL season has some surprise endings down the stretch. I would have not guessed that the Chiefs would be the first team to clinch their division in the AFC back in Week 6, for example. Nor would I have expected the Cardinals to be in the No. 6 spot in the NFC right now after starting the year 7-0.
Two similar stories that are ongoing revolve around the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders and their playoffs hopes. While the Raiders' chances to make the playoffs are dwindling, they have a chance to win this weekend and take over the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. This is because the pair actually play each other in Week 18 in a game that will pretty much determine the No. 7 seed that LA currently holds.
So, the Raiders and Chargers are both in a “win and you're in” situation heading into Week 18. As of Tuesday afternoon, Los Angeles is 3 point favorite on the road in Las Vegas with a total of 49.5 at WynnBET Sportsbook. Whoever wins takes the No. 7 spot and plays the No. 2 seed in the first round. Pretty simple right? Yes, but that is not taking into consideration the possibility of a third outcome.
What is this third option that I am referring to? Well, a tie of course.
In what would be a very strange outcome, the Chargers and Raiders both can make the playoffs. But, only if the game ends in a tie. Additionally, and perhaps even less likely, the Indianapolis Colts have to lose outright to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here's something totally bonkers: If the Colts lose to the Jaguars Sunday, the Raiders and Chargers would both get in with a tie. Literally, there would be no motivation for either team to do anything other than kneel it out 15 times each.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) January 3, 2022
While the Colts are 15 point favorites over the Jaguars on the road, we have already seen the Jags upset a Super Bowl contender once this season.
I am in no way making this a prediction, but I will admit that strange things happen every week in the NFL and an upset is possible.
If the Colts do totally blow it, it will leave them with a 9-8 record compared with the Raiders and the Chargers are 8-7. Because LA and LV play on Sunday night, they will know ahead of time what happens in the Colts game.
Therefore, a multiverse world exists where the Colts get beaten by the Jaguars and the Chargers and Raiders tie to both get into the postseason. There is even a world where the two collude to rest their starters, tie on purpose and walk into the playoffs as the two most hated teams in recent history.
I admit this is all rather far-fetched, but the fact remains. If the Colts lose and if neither the Raiders nor Chargers win, they will both make the playoffs leaving Indy to kick rocks.