Can the Raiders play spoiler this week? On Christmas Day last year, they shocked the world when they went to Arrowhead and beat the Chiefs. Now they return to Arrowhead on (wait for it) BLACK Friday. And the Chiefs will have a playoff spot in mind heading into the game.
A win over the Raiders alone won't advance the Chiefs, but there are several scenarios that could punch their ticket, and all involve either an AFC West team or the Miami Dolphins.
These are these scenarios:
KC win + MIA loss or draw
KC win + DEN loss
KC win + LAC loss + DEN draw
KC draw + MIA loss
The Dolphins appear to be the most likely of the three other teams to go under. They face the 8-3 Packers in Lambeau on Thanksgiving Day, so we may know as early as Thursday night whether the Chiefs actually need help.
If the Dolphins and Chiefs win, it will be up to the Chargers, who travel to Atlanta to play the 6-5 Falcons on Sunday. And finally, it's up to the Broncos, who have the easiest fight at home against the 3-8 Browns on Monday night.
So since there's a good chance that one of these teams will lose, it's up to the Raiders whether the Chiefs can secure another playoff spot