The Art of Rooting in the Division

Tonight, the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers are playing on NFL Network in the season debut of Thursday Night Football. The prize: the out-right lead in the ever-confusing AFC West. The winner will be in first place in the division at 5-4, the loser will be knocked down to third place at 4-5.

This lead is, of course, temporary. The Chiefs also play a division opponent, the Broncos, this Sunday. If the Chiefs win (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE), they will be in a two-way tie with tonight's victor for the lead in the AFC West. If they lose, well, let's cross that bridge when we get there.

So, in tonight's battle of two hated opponents, should you even watch? Should you care? Should you root for one team over another?

The answer to the first two questions is a resounding YES. The Chiefs, although in first place in the division, are far from controlling their own destiny as far as the playoffs and a division title are concerned. You can't overlook either of these teams, and although the Chiefs won't face the Chargers again this season, they will face the Raiders; the performance of Carson Palmer will be interesting to see.

But for the final question, there is not good answer. I can understand those who say they hate both teams so this game won't be fun to watch. I, however, am taking a Chiefs angle on this. With eight games left, which team has the better chance? We know how tough the Chiefs remaining schedule is, including a brutal five game stretch. So, what team can the Chiefs afford to have win tonight?

Here are the Chargers and Raiders remaining schedules:

Chargers: @ Chicago, Denver, @ Jacksonville, Buffalo, Baltimore, @ Detroit, @ Oakland
Raiders: @ Minnesota, Chicago, @ Miami, @ Green Bay, Detroit, @ KC, San Diego

Looking at these schedules, one could argue that both teams have an equally tough (or easy) time, but if you were to ask me, I would say the Chargers have the easiest remaining schedule based on their ability. We all are sick and tired of hearing about how good of a second half team the Chargers are, and how everyone is waiting for the Chargers to, metaphorically, flip a switch, and turn into the good team we have seen in the past. All indications point to the Chargers not being a playoff caliber team this year, but they still have the talent to be one. If they do turn it on, even a little bit, they could win the majority of their upcoming games and make the postseason.

The Raiders, on the other hand, are operating with a new quarterback and their star running back has missed a few games already due to injury. With these circumstances, combined with their scheduled opponents including Green Bay, Detroit, and Chicago, leads me to believe that a Raider lead on the AFC West would be easier to overcome than a Chargers lead. Plus, the Chiefs play the Raiders again in week 16, so if they continue to have a one game lead going into the game, the Chiefs will have the opportunity to catch up.

So, in other words, as much as it pains me to say, I will be rooting for the Raiders tonight. May God have mercy on my soul.