The Oakland Raiders no longer have control over their playoff destiny. At 7-6 and coming off two disastrous losses to the Dolphins and the Packers (with formidable tests forthcoming against the Lions, Chargers and Chiefs), they really have to get a lot of help (and I mean a LOT of help) to get one of the spots for the AFC playoffs.
They must first win their final three games. 9-7 will almost certainly not be enough unless every other playoff contender collapses.
The Raiders have to hope the Jets lose at least once to fall back into a tie for the sixth spot, and hope for the Bengals and Titans to each lose one more time than Oakland.
Yeah, the wild-card isn't looking likely.
So their best hope lies in Tim Tebow somehow being unmagical enough that he can't lead a fourth quarter comeback. Unfortunately, the Raiders have to win out and hope Denver loses TWICE in the last three weeks of the season, because the Broncos win most of the tiebreaking scenarios. Denver plays New England this week, and if they win that contest they will almost certainly clinch the AFC West, as their final two games are against the declining Buffalo Bills and headless Kansas City Chiefs.
All scenarios for Oakland getting back to the playoffs look a but improbable. But cumulatively, it's definitely possible.
For more on the Raiders playoff chances, head to Silver and Black Pride.