Good news for Broncos: Justin Herbert sitting out for Chargers Week 18
The Los Angeles Chargers just gave the Denver Broncos a huge boost in their quest to clinch the AFC top seed in Week 18.
The Denver Broncos caught a significant break ahead of their regular-season finale.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will not start Sunday against Denver, head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday, removing one of the league’s top passers from a game with major postseason implications for the Broncos.
If the Broncos beat the Chargers, they lock up the number one seed in the AFC. https://t.co/zrieCyk8Kp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2025
Broncos’ battle for No. 1 just got easier
Denver can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the accompanying first-round bye with a win over the Chargers. Herbert’s absence dramatically improves those odds, as the Chargers are already locked into a playoff spot and have little incentive to risk their franchise quarterback in a game that affects only seeding.
Herbert torched the Broncos earlier this season, throwing for 300 yards in the Chargers’ Week 3 win. Without him under center, the Broncos will face a much different version of Los Angeles’ offense, one far less equipped to challenge a Broncos defense that has been among the league’s best all season.
A Broncos loss would open the door for the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars to steal the No. 1 seed, but that scenario now appears less likely with Herbert sidelined. The Broncos control their destiny, and the Chargers’ decision to rest their starter makes the path clearer.
Chargers prioritizing health over seeding
From Los Angeles’ perspective, the move is unsurprising. Herbert suffered a broken bone in his non-throwing hand in November that required surgery, and he appeared to be dealing with discomfort again during the Chargers’ Week 17 loss to the Houston Texans. Houston sacked Herbert five times in that game, further reinforcing the logic of giving him an extra week to recover before the playoffs.
The Chargers enter Week 18 tied with the Texans and Buffalo Bills at 11-5, occupying the AFC’s wild-card tier. Seeding among the three will depend on final results, though Houston holds head-to-head tiebreakers over both teams. Los Angeles does own the tiebreaker over Buffalo.
While Herbert won’t play this week, his absence may only delay a marquee matchup. If Denver secures the No. 1 seed, the Broncos could still see Herbert and the Chargers again in January, this time with far more at stake and Herbert presumably closer to full strength. For now, though, the Broncos will gladly take the advantage as they look to lock up home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
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