Bolt Beat
Fansided

Chargers: 3 things left for team to play for in 2019

By Travis Wakeman

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 18: Defensive back Daniel Sorensen #49 of the Kansas City Chiefs intercepts a pass intended for running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of the game at Estadio Azteca on November 18, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 18: Defensive back Daniel Sorensen #49 of the Kansas City Chiefs intercepts a pass intended for running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter of the game at Estadio Azteca on November 18, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Zay Jones #12 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by the linebacker Drue Tranquill #49 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Zay Jones #12 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by the linebacker Drue Tranquill #49 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The chance to play spoiler

When you can’t go to the playoffs, the next best thing is to take that opportunity away from another team, particularly when it’s a hated rival.

The Oakland Raiders are pretty much out of the playoff race, but the Chargers could deliver the final knockout blow to their hopes. The Chargers would likely enjoy nothing more than doing that while also getting revenge for their November 7th loss to the Raiders in Oakland, a loss that crippled the Chargers chances this season.

In the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs will almost certainly have something to play for and whatever that is it will be big. The Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West division title and have a chance to still get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

If the Chargers could beat them at Arrowhead Stadium, as they did last year, it would not only hurt the Chiefs in their postseason run, but it would also provide a great “feel good” moment for Chargers fans as the season comes to a close.

It’s always good to beat the Chiefs and the Raiders, regardless of records. But when you can deal a big blow to those teams’ postseason hopes, it makes winning that much more satisfying.

The Raiders dealt themselves a self-inflicted wound by losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week in the finale at the “Black Hole” and will almost certainly miss the playoffs anyway, but the Chargers could ensure that they are eliminated this Sunday.

The Chiefs will be a playoff team and an AFC favorite and a loss to the Chargers might destroy their postseason momentum.

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