NFL Playoff Picture: Oakland Raiders' Carson Palmer Will Haunt Bengals

Oh, the irony.

After being traded from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Oakland Raiders early this season, quarterback Carson Palmer has a chance in Week 17 to wrestle the AFC's No. 6 seed away from the Bengals and send them home unhappy.

It's entirely possible and, in my mind, likely.

The Bengals could easily lose to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17, while the Raiders have a good shot at beating the inconsistent San Diego Chargers. I also expect the Denver Broncos to beat the Kansas City Chiefs and win the AFC West while the Tennessee Titans lose to the Houston Texans.

If that happens, the Raiders will claim the No. 6 seed in the AFC and the Bengals will have another reason to be aggravated with Palmer after he demanded a trade in the offseason.

It's not like I expect Palmer to have a spectacular game. He's thrown 11 touchdowns to 15 interceptions this season and he goes up against a Chargers defense in Week 17 that is ranked 10th in pass defense.

What I am saying is that Palmer will do enough to lead the Raiders over the Chargers, who got steamrolled by the Detroit Lions in Week 16, 38-10.

Keep in mind the Chargers don't have a great rush defense, either. They've allowed 4.4 yards per carry this season.

That's not a good match for the Raiders' rush offense, which has managed 4.5 yards per carry despite losing Darren McFadden to injury earlier in the season.

This game is also being played in Oakland. The Chargers are 2-5 on the road this season, further stressing the soft image they have generally portrayed throughout the years.

In the end, it will be Palmer cackling while Bengals' owner Mike Brown regrets letting the disgruntled veteran ever get his way.