NFL early window open game thread

With only two football Sundays left, it is great to still have playoffs in mind, even if it is a little unrealistic. The Raiders minuscule AFC wildcard hopes can be kept alive if a few games go their way today.

First, they need the Jets to upset the Steelers. Considering that New York is at home and Pittsburgh is only favored by 3.5 points, there’s a chance that it happens. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Jets a 47.3 percent chance to win, in fact.

Then, the Raiders need for the Saints to beat Tennessee, which is an easier ask considering that New Orleans is a top tier team fighting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Titans will be without Derrick Henry.

They’ll need both the Titans and Steelers to lose again next week, but this week would be a start.

The Raiders also need the Browns to lose one of their next two games, which may well happen in today’s early window when they face the Baltimore Ravens.

All of these scenarios happening at the same time is unlikely, but stranger things have happened, and each of these games will be worth heavily monitoring during the early window.

Here’s your open game thread. Go Raiders!