The LA Chargers clinched a spot in the NFL Playoffs on Saturday with a 40-7 win over the New England Patriots. While the Chargers have made the dance in Jim Harbaugh's first year as head coach, the job is not finished in the regular season as the Bolts have more to play for.
The fifth seed is in range for the Chargers and should be something the team strives for in Week 18. Harbaugh all but confirmed the Chargers would be playing the team's starters in Week 18, highlighting the Bolts' desire to usurp the Pittsburgh Steelers in the standings.
When outlining the potential path to the fifth seed two weeks ago it seemed like an impossible maze for the Chargers to conquer. However, everything has been working out in the Chargers' favor thus far.
Everything is breaking the Chargers' way for the NFL Playoffs
After watching a beatdown early on Saturday, Chargers fans got to do their second-favorite thing later in the day: root against the Denver Broncos. Los Angeles needed the Cincinnati Bengals to win to give the team something to play for in Week 18.
It was shaky at times and the Bengals did everything in their power to give the game away like they have so many other times this season. However, when the dust settled, the Bengals ultimately emerged with a six-point overtime victory.
This at least gives the Bengals a chance to make the playoffs with a win in Week 18. Cincinnati needs a win and needs Denver to lose against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals also need the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins to lose one game in the last two weeks. Fortunately for the Bengals, both Miami and Indy ruled out their starting quarterback in Week 18.
The Chargers need the Bengals to have something to play for so they can beat the Steelers in Week 18. Pittsburgh is beatable and may have peaked too soon this season. A hungry Bengals team is dangerous for the Steelers, who could lose and fall to the sixth seed as a result.
Meanwhile, with a win over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers would become the fifth seed in the AFC and would face the Houston Texans in the first round. Beating Houston in round one is much easier than beating Baltimore.
The only thing working against the Chargers is the fact the Chiefs are not playing their starters against the Broncos in Week 18. Denver winning would eliminate Cincy, giving the team nothing to play for against the Steelers.
However, the league will likely schedule those games at the same time to keep the competitive balance in Week 18. Plus, Carson Wentz is playing for his next contract and Andy Reid is still calling the offense. It could go horribly wrong, but it also could take the Broncos by surprise and still result in a loss.
Either way, the Bengals have something to play for in Week 18 and that benefits the Chargers.