Raiders' Rooting Guide for 2024 NFL Draft Implications of Week 17

The Las Vegas Raiders enter Week 17 in the no man's land of the NFL standings.

The Raiders are still good enough to be in the AFC wild-card chase at 7-8. but they reside in 11th place.

Las Vegas enters its matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in possession of the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Raiders will play to win against the Colts because another positive result would help confirm Antonio Pierce's permanent future as head coach.

However, the Raiders also have to have one eye on the draft order in case they lose to the Colts, or come up short in their wild-card bid.

Packers over Vikings

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: AJ Dillon #28 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers appear to be in a decent spot to jump the Raiders in record on Sunday.

Green Bay visits the Minnesota Vikings, who are shifting back to Jaren Hall at quarterback and lost T.J. Hockenson for the season due to a torn ACL.

Minnesota's offense is a mess right now and it may not be able to contend with the Packers in what is basically an elimination game in the NFC wild-card race.

Green Bay currently sits one position ahead of the Raiders in the projected draft order.

The Packers are one of three 7-8 ball clubs that the Raiders would love to see win in order to get closer to the top 10 in case they stumble in Indianapolis.

Falcons over Bears

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ATLANTA, GA DECEMBER 24: Atlanta quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) throws a pass during the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons on December 24th, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Raiders need some magic out of Taylor Heinicke to move the Falcons out of the top 10.

Atlanta enters Week 17 with the No. 10 overall pick, but it also has a chance to win the NFC South, or get into the playoffs as a wild-card team.

The Falcons must beat the Chicago Bears for their playoff aspirations to remain in tact going into Week 18.

The Bears have played well over the last few weeks, but beating a potential playoff team in a desperate spot may be hard to do.

Additionally, Chicago has to be concerned about its own draft stock and possessing two top-10 selections. A loss to Atlanta would confirm that.

A Falcons win could also move them ahead of the Raiders in overall record if Las Vegas loses, and that would move the Raiders one step closer to the top 10.

Saints over Buccaneers

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints catches the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Rooting for the Saints in any capacity is a painful business right now.

The New Orleans offense is all out of sorts and it does not appear that it will put up much of a fight against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Raiders need that to happen so a perfect weekend for their draft status occurs in the NFC.

New Orleans sits 11th in the draft order and a trifecta of wins from the Saints, Falcons and Packers puts the Raiders in a terrific spot.

Anything is possible in a divisional matchup, but a Saints win feels like the hardest result of the three to root for to get the Raiders closer to the top 10.