The LA Chargers' path to making the NFL Playoffs did get a bit clearer on Sunday, even if the team moved down one spot in the AFC playoff picture while preparing for Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Most notably, the Chiefs fell to 6-7 on the season with a loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday night. Technically speaking, a Kansas City loss was the worst of the two outcomes for the Chargers as the Texans are now just half a game back of the Chargers. That doesn't change how nice it feels to not look over the shoulder at a lurking Chiefs team.
The Chargers also got a clearer path as one AFC contender is falling apart at the seams. The Indianapolis Colts didn't just lose on Sunday to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they lost Daniel Jones in the process. Jones reportedly tore his Achilles tendon, ending his 2025 season.
Jones improbably turned his career around and led the Colts to an 7-1 start in the season. Now, with Riley Leonard under center, Indianapolis has to weather the storm to make the playoffs at 8-5. And based on how it looked with Leonard under center, Colts fans can't love their chances.
Colts' misfortune will ultimately help the Chargers in the AFC playoff picture
It's never appropriate to root for injuries, but it would be disingenuous to pretend like this injury doesn't impact the Chargers. The Jones injury has a massive impact on the Chargers, and actually could be the difference in LA making the playoffs.
The Colts are currently the No. 8 seed in the AFC. A loss to the Eagles on Monday would give the Chargers the same record as Indy. While that's a bit worrisome with the Colts having the head-to-head advantage, Indianapolis may also not win another game this season.
In addition to having an injured starting quarterback, the Colts also have one of the toughest ends to the season in the league. The Colts play the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans to end the season.
It's not silly to think Leonard may go 0-4 against four playoff teams to end the season. If so, Indianapolis would finish with an 8-9 record, completely taking them out of the playoff race. Ten wins seem like an impossibility. Nine wins might be the optimistic outcome.
This matters even more with the Chiefs' loss on Sunday. The next teams up after the Colts are the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins at 6-7. It's pretty unlikely any of those teams end up winning 10 games, putting the optimistic outcome for those three teams at 9-8.
The Chargers can essentially guarantee a playoff trip with 10 wins, and based on how the AFC shakes out, the Bolts may not even need that many. Los Angeles doesn't have an easy game left on the schedule, which certainly complicates things, but a well-coached team should be able to stumble into 10 wins after an 8-4 start.
Jim Harbaugh's team has to take care of its business either way to earn a trip to the NFL Playoffs. Now the Chargers just have to do a little bit less to earn that trip.