The LA Chargers were handed their worst loss of the season on Sunday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what was a true eye-opener for the team. Jim Harbaugh's team could have proven itself against the Buccaneers but instead, failed to come away with what would have been only the second win of the season over a winning team.
Now the Chargers have a short week against the one team with a winning record to lose to LA: the Denver Broncos. Denver is coming to SoFi Stadium on Thursday in a game that will have big playoff (and seeding) implications for both teams.
In fact, both the Chargers and the Broncos can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16, although it is a bit easier for Sean Payton's team to clinch a playoff spot than it is for the Chargers.
Chargers-Broncos playoff clinching scenarios, explained
Chargers playoff clinching scenarios:
- Chargers win + Dolphins loss/tie + Colts loss/tie
- Chargers tie + Dolphins loss + Colts loss + Bengals loss/tie
There are two ways for the Chargers to clinch a playoff spot in Week 16 but with ties being so infrequent in the NFL, fans really only have to worry about the first one. The Chargers can cross the tie bridge once the team gets there (if it even happens).
Clinching with a win is rather simple. The Chargers just need the Dolphins and Colts to both not win their respective games in Week 16. The outcome of the Cincinnati Bengals-Cleveland Browns game does not even matter if the Chargers are able to win on Thursday against the Broncos.
Miami has a losable game against the San Francisco 49ers that could go either way. Both teams have been disappointing this season and are playing for the smallest postseason chance imaginable. It is a loser leaves town match and one where head coach Mike McDaniel has to face his mentor Kyle Shanahan.
Indianapolis has a much easier game against the Tennessee Titans. While nothing is guaranteed, the Colts should be able to take care of the Titans, which would keep the Chargers from clinching regardless of the outcome on Thursday.
It would take a lot going right for the Chargers to clinch as early as Week 16. A win over the Broncos would still put the Chargers in a great position, though. As for Denver, the clinching scenario is much clearer.
Broncos playoff clinching scenarios:
- Broncos win or tie
- Dolphins loss/tie + Colts loss/tie
All the Broncos need to do is not lose on Thursday and they are into the NFL Playoffs no matter what. None of the other outcomes even matter for the Broncos, who can turn their focus to trying to get the advantageous No. 5 seed in the AFC.
Denver can still clinch with a loss though. Even in a loss, as long as both the Dolphins and Colts do not win their respective games then Denver will clinch their ticket to the playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens also clinch a playoff spot with a win or both the Dolphins and Colts not winning their games. That means that if the Ravens, Chargers, 49ers and Titans all win in Week 16 that the AFC playoff picture will be locked in stone with two weeks to play.