To quote the great American philosopher Lloyd Virgil Christmas, "so, you're telling me there's a chance?"
After beating the Los Angeles Chargers 24-17 last weekend – and getting a little help from their friends around the league – the Silver and Black are still alive in the AFC playoff picture.
Now, to be clear, the chance certainly isn't what one would call a great chance, but it's a chance nevertheless, and that's more than a lot of teams around the NFL can say at this juncture.
"It's a great stride that we made," said Head Coach Jon Gruden following the win over the Chargers. "We have a lot of new players, rookies and players that we signed here in the last six weeks. We're doing everything we can to bring this franchise back. We have a long way to go, but today is an obvious step in the right direction."
All kidding aside, as Coach Gruden said, the fact that the Silver and Black are playing meaningful football in the final week of December is a feat in and of itself, but allowing ourselves to look ahead just a little bit; how exactly do the Raiders make the postseason?
According to the NFL, this is what must happen Week 17 for the Silver and Black to extend their season.
The Raiders clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Raiders win + Steelers loss + Titans loss + Colts win + Raiders clinch strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Steelers*
*Raiders clinches strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Steelers if ONE of the following teams win or tie:
Bears, Lions, Chargers or Patriots
If the Raiders can't handle business and take down the Denver Broncos, none of those scenarios matter, but all the same, buckle up; Week 17 is going to be a lot of fun.
Take a look back at the best photos from the Raiders' Week 16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at ROKiT Field at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) before the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the coin toss before the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia huddles with the special teams unit before the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) defends during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and safety Erik Harris (25) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) defends during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) returns a punt during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is congratulated by teammates after a 56-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and tackle Denzelle Good (71) block as quarterback Derek Carr (4) receives the snap during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) makes a catch and takes it for a 56-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) makes a catch and takes it for a 56-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs to the end zone on a 56-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs to the end zone on a 56-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrates with wide receiver Zay Jones (12) after making a 56-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrates with quarterback Derek Carr (4) after a 56-yard touchdown catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) rush the quarterback during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and tackle Denzelle Good (71) block during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) and defensive end Josh Mauro (97) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) returns a punt during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) and defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) defends during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Josh Mauro (97) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) congratulates defensive end Josh Mauro (97) after a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) and wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) returns a kickoff during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) blocks as tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes as guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders fans celebrate after quarterback Derek Carr (4) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with tight end Darren Waller (83) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with fans after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a PAT during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with long snapper Trent Sieg (47) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) block during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) rushes as tackle Denzelle Good (71) blocks during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes for a 5-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes for a 5-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes for a 5-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) is congratulated by teammates after rushing for a 5-yard touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) pumps the crowd up during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with Head Coach Jon Gruden during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) blocks as quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) celebrates after sacking the quarterback during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) celebrates with defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders fans hold up signs in the stands during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrates with fullback Alec Ingold (45) after rushing for a game-ending first down during the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden addresses the team in the locker room following the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and Head Coach Jon Gruden in the locker room following the regular season game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
