The Los Angeles Chargers secured a playoff berth for the second straight season with the Indianapolis Colts' loss on Monday Night Football. Now, all eyes turn toward the final two weeks of the season to see who their first-round opponent will be.
If the season were to end today, the Chargers would face off against the fourth-seed Pittsburgh Steelers. While it would be a tough road matchup against a team that is looking better on a game-by-game basis, fans should be elated at this result.
It could be their ideal shot at earning a playoff victory for the first time since 2018.
A Steelers-Chargers first round matchup could prove to be absolutely electric
It's important to note, first, that this matchup is not set in stone. The Steelers are almost certainly locked in at the four-seed, as long as they are able to win the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens still have an outside chance to usurp them, but their loss against the New England Patriots leaves that outcome distinctly unlikely.
Even with a 9-6 record, Pittsburgh needs just one win in the next two weeks to seal their spot as division champions.
However, the Chargers would need to inch over the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans to clinch the fifth seed. While they currently have the conference record tie-breaker over the Bills, their head-to-head record against the Houston Texans could stand in the way if things go south.
Given the fact that the Texans play the Colts in Week 18, it will likely take a Chargers' victory next week against Houston to cement their spot at the top of the AFC Wild Card.
If they are able to, they could earn themselves an absolutely ideal first-round matchup. Although the Steelers' offense has started to look more capable over the past couple of weeks, Los Angeles held them to just 221 total yards and 10 points in their matchup back in early November.
Pittsburgh's defense, meanwhile, has not been what you necessarily would expect this season. Through 16 weeks, they are 28th in the NFL in total yards allowed and are outside the top-ten in most passing defense metrics.
Unless they are able to win the division in Week 18, the Chargers will be left facing off against one of the AFC's four division winners. With the unique strengths that the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots possess, the Steelers could be their best shot at a first-round victory.