The LA Chargers have six games remaining after Thanksgiving and are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. Los Angeles controls its own destiny as the No. 5 seed in the AFC, but the final slate of games have fans feeling concerned.
Jim Harbaugh's team has had an up-and-down season full of huge wins and disappointing losses. With a different team showing up every week, predicting the outcome of the final six games is a daunting task.
But it's a daunting task we are not running from.
Predicting the outcome of the last 6 Chargers games:
Week 13 vs. Las Vegas Raiders: WIN
The Chargers can't take any game for granted, especially against a divisional foe. However, this is by far the easiest game on the Bolts' schedule, and is one they should win with no questions asked. A loss here and it's fair to question whether or not the Chargers can even make the playoffs.
Geno Smith has turned into an interception machine while the Raiders' defense remains one of the worst in the sport. Maxx Crosby is a bit of a concern against this banged-up offensive line, but Trey Pipkins always seems to do well against the All-Pro edge rusher.
The Raiders' recipe for success is leaning heavily on Ashton Jeanty and hope that Crosby can have an otherworldly game. Coming off a bye, the Chargers should have enough juice to hold on, even if the final score is closer than fans are comfortable with.
Week 14 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: LOSS
As bad as the Philadelphia Eagles have looked in recent weeks, they still match up favorably against the Chargers. Saquon Barkley hasn't been the same this season but the Chargers' run defense hasn't necessarily been the best this season.
Philadelphia's defense isn't as stout as it was a year ago but the talent is still there. This Chargers offensive line will struggle against this Philly defensive front, and the secondary is talented enough to stifle the Chargers.
As trivial as it sounds, if the Eagles won on Black Friday then it would be easier to see the Chargers winning this game. But after back-to-back losses against NFC playoff foes, the Eagles desperately need a win and that desperation will swing the final outcome.
Week 15 at Kansas City Chiefs: WIN
Sweeping the Kansas City Chiefs on the season seemed like a far-fetched dream. However, with how Kansas City has looked this season, it may be a reality for the Bolts.
The Chiefs simply aren't the same team they were in years past and the Chargers actually match up quite well against their AFC West foes. Kansas City can generate pressure with blitzes, but it doesn't have the same tantalizing defensive front it had in years past. As bad as the Chargers' offensive line is, this is a favorable matchup for the line to at least hold up. And if KC blitzes, the Chargers can attack them with Omarion Hampton or with the quick passing game.
Defensively, the Chargers don't have to worry about the run and have the talent in the secondary to slow down Kansas City's pass catchers. This will give the Chargers their ninth win of the season, which will dramatically shoot the playoff odds up.
Week 16 at Dallas Cowboys: LOSS
This is the game that, on paper, the Chargers should win, but they won't. The Bolts will likely have one of these games in the final six weeks and this is the biggest candidate. It may seem silly to predict a win against the Chiefs and a loss against the Cowboys, but that's just how this Chargers season has gone.
Dallas will be playing for its playoff life at this point, while the Chargers will be coming off the biggest win of the season over the Chiefs. This has all the makings of a game where Dallas punches the Chargers in the mouth early and holds on to win a shootout.
This would put the Chargers at 9-6 with two games remaining. Nine wins might be enough to make the playoffs, but in all likelihood, the Chargers will need one more win.
Week 17 vs. Houston Texans: WIN
This game is scary. The Texans beat the brakes off the Chargers last year in the playoffs and will likely need this game to secure a playoff spot. For all intents and purposes, this will be a playoff game for both teams involved.
As bad as that Texans game was, it was one big play from swinging the other way. The Chargers had C.J. Stroud smothered near his own goal line after a botched snap on third and 16. Somehow, some way, the Chargers couldn't sack Stroud, who escaped pressure to complete a long pass for a first down.
That was the turning point of the game. The Chargers know this and they will enter this game with something to prove. This matchup against the Texans' defense is terrifying, but this feels like an Omarion Hampton coming-out party to essentially clinch a playoff spot.
Week 18 at Denver Broncos: LOSS
This sounds like a cop out, but there is not much to write about here. Based on this prediction, we are expecting the Chargers to lock up a wild-card spot with the Week 17 win over the Texans. And on the flip side, the AFC West crown will probably be out of reach.
The Chargers will have no reason to play its starters while the Broncos will likely be competing for the No. 1 seed. Denver's starters vs. the Chargers' backups seems like a fairly easy prediction to make. The Chargers can't risk more injuries just to try and go 6-0 in the division.
Chargers final record prediction: 10-7