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Oakland Raiders clinch first playoff berth since 2002

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:55 p.m. ET

Fansided, Josh Hill/Fansided

The Oakland Raiders clinched their first playoff berth since 2002 with a Week 15 win over the Chargers.

In December 202, Attack of the Clones was the newest Star Wars movie and we were 14-years away from a prequel that wouldn’t suck. We were also 14-years away from the next time the Oakland Raiders would clinch a playoff berth.

That drought has ended though, as for the first time since 2002 the Oakland Raiders are headed to the playoffs. The Raiders used a comeback win over the Chargers to clinch and need to win out in order to clinch a first-round bye. They can lock that up with some help from the Chiefs and Broncos but right now it’s all about punching their ticket.

Less surprising but still notable on Sunday was the Patriots clinching the AFC East for what seems like the hundredth time. The last time New England missed the postseason, the Raiders went to the Super Bowl which means this is the first time since the infamous Tuck Rule game that these two teams are in the postseason at the same time.

Based on the way things are stacking up, we could be in store for a rematch we never thought we’d see.

Here’s a look at the AFC Playoff picture, now that we only have NFC games ahead of us tonight and tomorrow:

1. New England Patriots (11-2)
2. Oakland Raiders (10-3)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)
4. Houston Texans (8-6)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)
6. Miami Dolphins (9-5)

For completion sake, here’s a look at the NFC. Tonight’s Bucs-Cowboys matchup won’t move the needle immediately, but could have long term effects depending on the results of the final two weeks of the season.

1. Dallas Cowboys (11-2)
2. Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1)

3. Falcons (9-5)
4. Lions (9-5)
5. Giants (9-5)
6. Buccaneers (8-6)

We’ll have to wait until the final two games of Week 15 are in the books to look ahead to how things will shake up in Week 16.