Week 12 outcomes that would help the LA Chargers playoff chances

The LA Chargers are right in the middle of a crowded AFC playoff picture that could end up changing significantly before year's end. The Chargers are half a game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West (and have the tiebreaker) while also being just half a game ahead of the non-playoff teams.

The Chargers control their own destiny and as long as they keep winning they will end up higher than the seventh seed, which is what they currently are. However, each week for the rest of the season Chargers fans have to be monitoring the other AFC playoff teams as certain outcomes increase the Bolts' chances.

Obviously, the Chargers winning is one of the preferred outcomes but there are four other outcomes that Chargers fans should be rooting for in Week 12.

Week 12 outcomes that would help the LA Chargers playoff chances:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts might be the hottest team in the AFC not named the New England Patriots as they just defeated the Buffalo Bills to move to 6-5 on the season. The Chargers are just half a game better than the red-hot Colts, who take on the defending Super Bowl Champions in Week 12.

The Colts are one of several teams that can knock the Chargers out of the playoffs, however, Indianapolis is going to have to earn it with some tough games still on the schedule. The Colts have two easy games against Houston and Jacksonville but have two really tough games against New England and Arizona. There is also a game against Las Vegas which can really go either way.

I think it is safe to assume that the Colts will win at least three of their final five games after Week 12. A Week 12 win over the Bucs would then give the Colts a floor of 9-8. Every loss matters at this point.

Let's dive into the second game.