Las Vegas Raiders’ playoff hopes continue to fade after Week 7 loss to Los Angeles Rams

With a 3-0 start to the season, the Las Vegas Raiders looked like a potential postseason sleeper. However, the Week 7 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams makes it four in a row for the Silver and Black, dropping the Raiders’ record to 3-4. That results in Las Vegas’ playoff hopes sliding as we take a look at the updated AFC playoff picture.

[Editor’s note: The standings below are before the Kansas City Chiefs-Seattle Seahawks game has completed on Sunday Night Football. Silver and Black Pride will provide an update when that game goes final.]

AFC playoff standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)

1. Buffalo Bills (5-1)

2. Cleveland Browns (5-2, win over PIT for AFC North lead)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)

4. Denver Broncos (5-2, 2-1 AFC for 1st Wild Card spot tiebreaker)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, loss to CLE, 2-2 AFC)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

7. New England Patriots (4-3, 4-1 AFC for tiebreaker over BAL)

8. Baltimore Ravens (4-3, 2-2 AFC)

10. Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)

1. New York Jets (2-5, 2-2 AFC for tiebreaker over IND)

2. Indianapolis Colts (2-5, win over HOU, 1-4 AFC)

3. Houston Texans (2-5, loss to IND)

4. Miami Dolphins (1-5)

5. Tennessee Titans (1-6)

6. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)

So, as it stands, the Raiders’ best chance at earning a playoff spot is for the third and final AFC Wild Card spot. They’re a game-and-a-half behind the Bengals for the seventh seed, and one game behind the Patriots and the Ravens. However, New England owns the tiebreaker over Las Vegas with the head-to-head win, so the Raiders are really a game-and-a-half behind the Patriots too.

The Raiders head to the Jets next week for what feels like as close to a midseason elimination game as possible for both teams. Meanwhile, the Bengals host the Titans, New England is at Miami, and the Ravens are on the road against the Bills.