Raiders vs Chargers: Assessing Odds Oakland Wins AFC West

Not since the 2002 NFL season have the Oakland Raiders been crowned AFC West champions. Also, the Raiders won the division from 2000-2002, the first three year stretch of winning the AFC West since the mid-1970s.

From 2003-2009 however, Oakland never finished with a record better than 5-11, but gave hope to Raider Nation after going 8-8 in 2010 as well as 6-0 in the division.

This season the Raiders are only 4-4, and 8-8 could quite possible win this division again (the Chargers won the division with a record of 8-8 in 2009). That said, Oakland sits behind Kansas City and San Diego because of their 1-2 division record.

Obviously there's still a lot of football left to be played. However, this Week 10 game against the Bolts on the road can set the tone for the remainder of the season. So with that said, let's take a look at the Raiders' odds of winning the AFC West.

If They Beat San Diego: Odds—1 in 10

The odds will significantly increase for Oakland if they win on the road in Southern California, because not only does that give them a huge confidence boost, but it puts them at 2-2 in the division with two AFC West games remaining.

However, the odds aren't any higher because of their home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, you can argue that losing at home to K.C. was a fluke because of Kyle Boller starting and it being Carson Palmer's first game in quite some time.

Nonetheless, the Raiders will have to best the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 16, because that game will most likely determine the division, provided that Oakland sweeps the Bolts. Also, no one in the AFC West is going to finish better than 9-7. The NFC North is too difficult of a division to compete with, and the West is easily the weakest division in the AFC.

That said, it plays into Oakland's favor as they're still dealing with some injuries as well.

If They Lose to San Diego: Odds—1 in 40

Now it becomes insanely difficult for the Raiders to win the division. Saving them however, are the two remaining divisional games at K.C. in Week 16 and home versus the Chargers in Week 17.

But if Oakland loses in Week 10, that drops them to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in the AFC West. So, not only will they need more help to stay within striking distance, but they'll need to quickly respond against a tough schedule ahead.

Week 11 puts Oakland in Minnesota (never easy), home versus the "on fire" Chicago Bears, and then at Miami, at Green Bay, and home versus Detroit before the final two divisional games.

If Oakland is fortunate, they will head into Week 16 with a 6-8 record. That is, provided the Chargers best them in Week 10. And, they have to hope that both the Bolts and Chiefs are no better than 8-6, otherwise all will have been for naught.

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