Oakland Raiders' Amazing Race: How They Win AFC West and Make the Playoffs

It would be easy to say that the race in the AFC West is over. The Chiefs currently hold a two game lead over the Chargers and Raiders with four games to go.

The reality is that this race is far from over. The AFC West has produced some of the biggest meltdowns and comebacks in recent years.

The Chargers are famous for their second half surges and sneaking into the playoffs. The Broncos are famous for falling apart at the end of the season.

The Raiders, well they are new to this. Most of their roster has never been in a playoff race this late in the season.

A two game lead with four games to go is plenty of time for anyone to catch up.

In 2008, the Chargers were 5-8 and the Broncos were 8-5, with three games to go. The Chargers ended up making the playoffs and winning the division.

Last year the Broncos were 6-0, only to meltdown and give up the lead once again to the Chargers.

I've looked into my magic crystal ball and I was shocked at what I saw.

Let's take a look at the final four weeks and see how the Raiders, Chargers and Chiefs will do.

Week 14: Raiders and Chargers Gain Ground On Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers jogs off the field follwing the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 13, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Oakland Raiders vs Jacksonville Jaguars: The Raiders visit the Jaguars on Sunday. Nobody thought the Raiders would beat the Chargers last week, but they physically dominated them.

Look for the Raiders to keep their momentum against Jacksonville. Their physical play should keep the Jags running game in check. This will be an emotional game for players like Kirk Morrision, Quentin Groves and John Henderson.

Look for the former Jaguars to have big games against their former offense.

The Raiders will dominate time of possession and come out with a close win. 27-20. Raiders go to 7-6.

Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego Chargers: The Chargers are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Raiders at Home. This is a big game for the Chargers because this will keep their playoff hopes alive, and bring the Chiefs one game closer.

The Chiefs are coming off a shaky win at home against the struggling Broncos.

Look for the Chargers to jump on the Chiefs early. Matt Cassell will not be 100 percent if he even plays after his recent surgery.

Phillip Rivers and Mike Tolbert will bounce back against the Chiefs.

Chargers win 34-17. Chargers go to 7-6 and Chiefs fall to 8-5.

Week 15: Three Way Tie in AFC West

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Darrius Heyward-Bey #85 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by Larry English #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28

Kansas City Chiefs vs St. Louis Rams: Both teams from Missouri are in the playoff race and will meet in St. Louis. The Chiefs are coming off a bad performance and face a Rams team that is solid at home. The Chiefs are 2-4 on the road.

Look for the Rams to get their running game going early. Sam Bradford is playing very well for a rookie. Chiefs will struggle in the dome.

Rams win 20-16. Chiefs fall to 8-6.

Denver Broncos vs Oakland Raiders: The Raiders dominated the first game in Denver. They scored a team record 59 points. This time they'll meet in Oakland.

I don't see the Raiders scoring 59 points, but I do see them winning in a dominating fashion. Look for the McFadden/Bush campaign to sway voters in the Raiders direction.

Raiders win 34-20 as Tim Tebow makes his first start of the season. Raiders go to 8-6.

San Fransisco 49ers vs San Diego Chargers: The Chargers struggled against the physicality of the Raiders. The 49ers bring in the same physical style of play.

Look for Phillip Rivers to have a big game and throw himself into the MVP talks again. Chargers passing game finds too many holes in the Niners defense.

The Chargers will be the favorites to win the division after all three teams are tied with the same record.

Chargers win 31-17. Chargers go to 8-6.

Week 16: Chiefs Catch a Break

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Matt Cassell #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands off to running back Larry Johnson #27 during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by

Tennessee Titans vs Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are now in second place in the AFC West after a two game losing streak. Lucky for them they host another team that is struggling late in the season.

The Titans and Chiefs battle in a game of talented running backs. The Chiefs running game is much better than the Titans this year and they will show it.

Former Raiders wide out Randy Moss will help make the game interesting.

Chiefs beat the Titans in a close game. 24-23. Chiefs go to 9-6.

San Diego Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals: The Chargers travel to Cincinnati in late December. The Chargers will be riding a two game win streak and talks about their late season surge will continue.

Unfortunately, they'll run into a Bengals team that has enough talent to beat them. The weather will be Ohio weather and that may not be a good thing for the Chargers.

San Diego struggles away from home as they are 2-4. Look for the Bengals to end their winning streak and their playoff hopes.

Bengals win in overtime 27-24. Chargers fall to 8-7

Indianapolis Colts vs Oakland Raiders: The Colts visit the Raiders as both teams are trying to make the playoffs.

Peyton Manning has been struggling this year and could struggle more against the Raiders physical defense. The Raiders will be playing their last game at home in front of a sold out crowd.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, they are not ready to knock of Manning and his surging Colts. Look for the Raiders offensive line to struggle against the Colts defensive ends.

Campbell and the offense will struggle to find their groove, and the defense doesn't get to Manning enough.

Raiders lose 24-16 and fall to 8-7.

Week 17: The Autumn Wind Prevails in December

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Jacoby Ford #12 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass over Brandon Flowers #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn

San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos: The Chargers visit the Broncos in Denver in the final week of the season.

Both teams have nothing to play for as both of them have been eliminated from the playoffs.

The Broncos secondary will do enough to slow down the Chargers pass attack. Look for Knowshon Moreno and Tim Tebow to have solid games to finish their season.

Denver wins 26-24. Chargers fall to 8-8.

Oakland Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs: Is there a better way to finish the season? The Chiefs are sitting at 9-6 and the Raiders are sitting at 8-7. Whoever wins this game wins the AFC West Crown and makes the playoffs for the first time in a while.

The Chiefs have a good record at home and the Raiders struggle on the road, but this is a rivalry game and everything gets thrown out the window.

Last time they met in Oakland they went to overtime in one of the most exciting games of the season. I don't expect this game to be any different.

It will be a back and forth battle that will come down to the final moments.

It's amazing how much the Patriots will have an effect on this game.

The Chiefs have tried hard to become the Patriots of the AFC West by bringing in anyone and everyone that has Patriots ties.

The Raiders still remember the Tuck Rule Play against the Patriots and have executed some major trades with them as well.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, a Raider with Patriots ties will end their season. The Chiefs will be down by three late in the fourth quarter.

Matt Cassel will have his team driving until Richard Seymour sacks Cassell and forces a fumble.

Raiders win 23-20. Chiefs fall to 9-7 and Raiders go to 9-7.

Raiders have the tie breaker because of their head to head record and have the better division record. Raiders make the playoffs.

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