Updated Chargers playoff odds after Week 15 win over Titans
By Jason Reed
As the old saying goes, an ugly win is better than a pretty loss and the LA Chargers came away with an ugly win on Sunday. In a game where the defense played great, the offense could not get going until the final drive of the game when Justin Herbert was allowed to take over.
At the end of the day, a win is a win and the Chargers are now in a fantastic position. Two weeks ago after losing to the Las Vegas Raiders, things looked bleak for the Bolts as they had back-to-back playoff opponents on the schedule.
The Chargers went out and beat both of those opponents, establishing them as the team to knock out of the AFC playoff picture. As long as the Chargers continue to take care of business, they should be one of the seven AFC teams standing at the end of the regular season.
Not only did the Chargers win in Week 15 but every perfect outcome happened for the team. The Miami Dolphins lost on Saturday with the New York Jets and New England Patriots losing on Sunday. Heck, even the surprise playoff team that could fall down the standings (the Baltimore Ravens) lost on Saturday.
What are the Chargers playoff odds after Week 15?
According to The New York Times Playoff Simulator, the Chargers have an 80% chance of making the playoffs this season after the early and afternoon slate of games. The final two games of Week 15 involve all NFC teams, so they will not impact the Chargers' playoff odds at all.
Not only do the Chargers have an 80% chance of making the playoffs this season but they have an easy slate of remaining games on the schedule. The Bolts take on the Indianapolis Colts, LA Rams and Denver Broncos to close out the season. They still have to take care of business and get the job done but it is hard not to love the team's chances after Sunday.
A win over the Colts in Week 16 would jump the Chargers' playoff odds even higher, regardless of the other outcomes. The team's odds would jump to 98%. If the Bolts can beat both the Colts and Rams they will essentially clinch a playoff spot before Week 18.
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Things were very bleak two weeks ago but when it really started to matter, this team buckled down and got the job done. They have undoubtedly played like a playoff team over the last two weeks.