The Oakland Raiders still need help to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2002, but at least they have a chance.
The San Diego Chargers already know their fate ahead of their regular-season finale.
Oakland goes for its fourth consecutive victory in this matchup Sunday when the visiting Chargers will try to avoid their first losing season since 2003 while ending their AFC West rival's playoff chances.
By snapping a three-game skid with last Saturday's 16-13 overtime victory at Kansas City, Oakland (8-7) remained in the playoff hunt. The Raiders have not been to the postseason since their 2002 AFC championship season, yet a victory and a Chiefs win in Denver will clinch the West for Oakland.
Even if the Broncos win the division title, the Raiders can still secure the second wild-card spot if they win, Cincinnati loses to Baltimore with either the New York Jets winning over Miami or Tennessee losing to Houston.
With all the possible playoff scenarios, what is clear is Oakland will be eliminated with a loss.
"I am not going to get caught up in all the different scenarios," coach Hue Jackson said Monday. "I know they're out there. I think I would be remiss as the leader of this football team if I just jumped over in that boat. I think the boat I have to jump in is getting this team to play as hard and well as it can play this weekend."
Winning three straight after a six-game skid gave the Chargers (7-8) hope late in the season, but their slim playoff hopes were dashed Christmas Eve when they lost 38-10 at Detroit and the Bengals defeated Arizona.
"When you lose six in a row in this league, you're probably not going to the postseason, but we fought our way back in it," said Philip Rivers, who was named to the Pro Bowl this week despite throwing a career-worst 19 interceptions. "You're hanging your hat on running the table, and going to beat playoff teams on the road, it's tough."
There's a good chance San Diego will be playing its final game under coach Norv Turner, who has failed to lead them to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after going in five of the previous six years.
"We all know that's something that's discussed at the end of the year," Turner said.
The Chargers' main motivation will be avoiding their first sub.-500 season since going 4-12 in 2003 and sending the Raiders home for the year.
"I don't want the Raiders to go (to the playoffs)," said Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, tied for the NFL lead with seven INTs. "We have control over at least one more game, and who can go. "We're going to try our hardest to spoil their postseason and keep them out of it."
If that's going to happen, the Chargers will have to perform better than it did in a 24-17 home loss to Oakland on Nov. 10, when the Raiders piled up 489 yards and avoided a third straight defeat.
Carson Palmer - making his second start and third appearance since being acquired from Cincinnati - threw two TD passes to Denarius Moore, while Michael Bush ran for a season-best 157 yards with a career-high 85 yards receiving.
While Oakland's offense could get a huge lift with the possible return of running back Darren McFadden (right foot) and wide receiver Jacoby Ford (left foot), who have missed eight and six games, respectively, the club will have a significant edge in special teams.
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who drilled the game-winning 36-yarder last Saturday, was named to the Pro Bowl, as were punter Shane Lechler and Richard Seymour, the AFC special teams player of the week who blocked two field goals against Kansas City.
Oakland could also improve its playoff chances by committing fewer penalties. After being whistled for a season high-tying 15 last week, the Raiders are four shy of setting the NFL record with 159.
Oakland, which had lost 13 straight to San Diego before its current three-game run, ended a six-game home losing streak to the Chargers with a 35-27 victory Oct. 10, 2010.
NO EXCUSES ALL HANDS ON DECK WE NEED A WIN! LETS GO NATION!
The San Diego Chargers already know their fate ahead of their regular-season finale.
Oakland goes for its fourth consecutive victory in this matchup Sunday when the visiting Chargers will try to avoid their first losing season since 2003 while ending their AFC West rival's playoff chances.
By snapping a three-game skid with last Saturday's 16-13 overtime victory at Kansas City, Oakland (8-7) remained in the playoff hunt. The Raiders have not been to the postseason since their 2002 AFC championship season, yet a victory and a Chiefs win in Denver will clinch the West for Oakland.
Even if the Broncos win the division title, the Raiders can still secure the second wild-card spot if they win, Cincinnati loses to Baltimore with either the New York Jets winning over Miami or Tennessee losing to Houston.
With all the possible playoff scenarios, what is clear is Oakland will be eliminated with a loss.
"I am not going to get caught up in all the different scenarios," coach Hue Jackson said Monday. "I know they're out there. I think I would be remiss as the leader of this football team if I just jumped over in that boat. I think the boat I have to jump in is getting this team to play as hard and well as it can play this weekend."
Winning three straight after a six-game skid gave the Chargers (7-8) hope late in the season, but their slim playoff hopes were dashed Christmas Eve when they lost 38-10 at Detroit and the Bengals defeated Arizona.
"When you lose six in a row in this league, you're probably not going to the postseason, but we fought our way back in it," said Philip Rivers, who was named to the Pro Bowl this week despite throwing a career-worst 19 interceptions. "You're hanging your hat on running the table, and going to beat playoff teams on the road, it's tough."
There's a good chance San Diego will be playing its final game under coach Norv Turner, who has failed to lead them to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after going in five of the previous six years.
"We all know that's something that's discussed at the end of the year," Turner said.
The Chargers' main motivation will be avoiding their first sub.-500 season since going 4-12 in 2003 and sending the Raiders home for the year.
"I don't want the Raiders to go (to the playoffs)," said Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, tied for the NFL lead with seven INTs. "We have control over at least one more game, and who can go. "We're going to try our hardest to spoil their postseason and keep them out of it."
If that's going to happen, the Chargers will have to perform better than it did in a 24-17 home loss to Oakland on Nov. 10, when the Raiders piled up 489 yards and avoided a third straight defeat.
Carson Palmer - making his second start and third appearance since being acquired from Cincinnati - threw two TD passes to Denarius Moore, while Michael Bush ran for a season-best 157 yards with a career-high 85 yards receiving.
While Oakland's offense could get a huge lift with the possible return of running back Darren McFadden (right foot) and wide receiver Jacoby Ford (left foot), who have missed eight and six games, respectively, the club will have a significant edge in special teams.
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who drilled the game-winning 36-yarder last Saturday, was named to the Pro Bowl, as were punter Shane Lechler and Richard Seymour, the AFC special teams player of the week who blocked two field goals against Kansas City.
Oakland could also improve its playoff chances by committing fewer penalties. After being whistled for a season high-tying 15 last week, the Raiders are four shy of setting the NFL record with 159.
Oakland, which had lost 13 straight to San Diego before its current three-game run, ended a six-game home losing streak to the Chargers with a 35-27 victory Oct. 10, 2010.
NO EXCUSES ALL HANDS ON DECK WE NEED A WIN! LETS GO NATION!
