The LA Chargers have locked in an AFC Wild Card spot, and, with seeding still to be determined, head coach Jim Harbaugh has made clear they will rest many of their starters for their Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
The immediate benefits of this decision are clear. Justin Herbert has been playing with a surgically-repaired hand since Week 13, and he's taken more punishment than almost any other quarterback in the NFL this season. Various players, including Mekhi Becton, Jamaree Salyer, and R.J. Mickens, are managing ongoing injuries.
However, there is one player who will almost certainly rest that the Chargers could surprisingly benefit the most from: Kimani Vidal.
Vidal exited the Chargers' Week 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys with a neck injury and has since been considered questionable. While it is possible that he could have made his return against Denver if the division were up for grabs, guaranteeing his health could prove to be absolutely vital if Los Angeles is ultimately matched up against the New England Patriots for the Wild Card Round.
Kimani Vidal should be back at full health for the playoffs, and it could be the key for the Chargers to advance
With both Najee Harris out for the season and Omarion Hampton out for a lengthy stint of time, Vidal stepped into the role of lead back impressively. In the seven games Vidal played with Hampton out, he amassed 525 rushing yards and four total touchdowns, averaging a solid 4.5 yards-per-attempt and showcasing some explosiveness in the process.
With both Hampton and Vidal available, the Chargers will have two dynamic backs who they can turn to in almost any situation.
The Patriots, who are Los Angeles's most likely playoff opponent, could be vulnerable on this front.
While they are a top-five rushing defense on the season, they have been shaky since defensive tackle Milton Williams was sidelined with a high ankle sprain in Week 13. In the five games they have played since that time, they have ceded an average of 159.6 rushing yards per game to their opponents.
Extended over the course of the season, that mark is worse than the atrocious defenses of the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders.
The Chargers are 4-2 in games in which they have rushed for more than 150 total yards this season.
While Williams could still return for the playoffs, there remains a vulnerability to be exploited on New England's defense. With Vidal and Hampton fully healthy and available, Los Angeles would be poised to take full advantage.