Playoff Watch 2020

Remember, in order for the Raiders to make the playoffs they need:

Step 1: One of the following must happen for strength of schedule purposes:

All these games will end before the Raiders play against the Broncos.

I hate to say it, but since the Chiefs own the tiebreaker against the Patriots, the Patriots need to win to maintain their hold on the No. 2 seed. A Patriots win is the most likely out of the four games in Step 1. The Chiefs are also playing to win because if they lose and Texans win, the Texans grab the No. 3 seed because they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs.

Confused? Basically, the Texans’ game should’ve started at the same time as the Patriots and Chiefs’ games. The NFL messed up. Surprise, surprise.

• Detroit Lions win or tie against Green Bay Packers
• New England Patriots win or tie against the Miami Dolphins
• Chicago Bears win or tie against the Minnesota Vikings
• Los Angeles Chargers win or tie against the Kansas City Chiefs

Step 2: The Oakland Raiders win against the Denver Broncos (duh!)

Ste 3: The Tennessee Titans lose to the Houston Texans

Step 4: The Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Baltimore Ravens

Step 5: The Indianapolis Colts win against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Raiders vs. Broncos News

Silver and Black Pride: Josh Jacobs and Richie Incognito both doubtful for Sunday

It’s going to be an uphill battle. How mad would you be if everything that needed to happen for the Raiders to make the playoffs happened, except the Raiders beating the Broncos?

Mile High Report: Clarity on Ja’Wuan James injury emerges

Every single player on the defensive line not named Maxx Crosby is going to have to show up if the Raiders are going to win this game.

Titans vs. Texans News

Music City Miracle: Titans list three players as non-participants on Wednesday’s “estimated” injury report

Looks like Derrick Henry is suiting up.

Battle Red Blog: Jacob Martin, Benardrick McKinney Return To Practice

If the Chiefs win, the Texans are going to sit everyone. Per CBS:

“If the Chiefs lose to the Chargers and the Texans beat the Titans in Week 17, Houston would get the No. 3 seed by virtue of its head-to-head win over Kansas City.”

Steelers vs Ravens News

Behind the Steel Curtain: James Conner ruled out for Sunday’s game

It’s going to be Duck Hodges vs. Robert Griffin III. Goodness gracious.

Baltimore Beatdown: Ravens to sit Lamar Jackson, key starters in Week 17

“MVP frontrunner quarterback Lamar Jackson is the most notable albeit expected name on a list that also includes running back Mark Ingram, safety Earl Thomas, guard Marshal Yanda and defensive end Brandon Williams.”

Colts vs. Jaguars News

Stampede Blue: Wilkins ruled out, 2 Colts doubtful, 3 more questionable

“After being in concussion protocol, and not participating Wednesday, Quenton Nelson was limited yesterday. Darius Leonard was also an improvement from the team’s initial report and was a full participant yesterday after being sidelined Wednesday.”

Jacoby Brissett has been playing through a knee injury since November as well. Boy, there’s a lot of moving parts for each one of these games.

Big Cat Country: Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew II questionable for Sunday

The Jaguars lost 33-13 to the Colts in Week 11 when Nick Foles started, so there’s that.

Bonus: The Saints + Antonio Brown

Canal Street Chronicles: Saints hosting Antonio Brown for free agent workout

I honestly thought it would be the Cowboys. I’m shocked that Jerry Jones isn’t making this move. Do the Saints have information that no one else does? Because last I read, the NFL was still investigating the complaints against Brown.