The Oakland Raiders are on a bye this week, but as the AFC West race continues to bunch up, they will be impacted by week eight football. At 4-3, the Raiders are in second place, a half game behind San Diego and a half game ahead of Kansas City. Add in Denver sitting a mere game and a half behind them and it could be a wild race to the finish.
Considering how tight the race is for playoff positioning, we'll provide picks of all the relevant games that could impact the Oakland Raiders chances of earning a playoff spot. This will include divisional games and also games that could impact a potential wildcard berth.
San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs: It does not get much bigger than this for a week eight game. After an abysmal start, the Chiefs find themselves in the thick of the AFC West race. They sit a single game back of the Chargers for first place, something that likely would have shocked most Chiefs fans a few weeks ago. They get a chance to climb into a first place tie with this game. I'm going to stick with the hot team. PICK: Chiefs
Detroit Lions @ Denver Broncos: The Broncos are suddenly a resurgent team behind the both calm and crazy leadership of Tim Tebow. The Lions got off to a roaring 5-0 start but suddenly find themselves teetering following back-to-back losses. The Lions are without Jahvid Best again and heading into the belly of the beast as there could be serious bedlam in Denver if Tebow pulls out another win. It's too entertaining not to go with the Fightin' Tebows PICK: Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks: The Bengals are off to a strong start to the 2011 season and have a slim grasp on one of the wildcard seeds. The Seahawks are an inconsistent team that knocked off the New York Giants and then lost a stinker at Cleveland. And yet, I have a feeling the inconsistency pendulum will swing back for the Seahawks. PICK: Seahawks
Washington Redskins @ Buffalo Bills: The Bills are off to a strong start themselves and get to face a Redskins team that is struggling. Washington got off to a solid enough start but have now lost two straight and are on the verge of falling apart. It does not get any easier against the resurgent Bills. PICK: Bills
Arizona Cardinals @ Baltimore Ravens: After losing to Jacksonville, Baltimore is angry. Very angry. There is no way this game ends well. PICK: Ravens
Current AFC Playoff Seeds*
1. New England Patriots
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. San Diego Chargers
4. Houston Texans
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Cincinnati Bengals