NFL
TNF Broncos vs Chargers: Playoff implications - what needs to happen for each one to clinch a spot
NFL Week 16 kicks off on Thursday with an AFC West rivalry game between two teams hoping to clinch a playoff berth this week.
Week 16 of the NFL kicks off with a juicy AFC West rivalry between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. The Broncos and Chargers are both fighting for a spot in the postseason, and both teams have a chance to clinch a spot this week.
The last time these two rivals faced each other, it was the Chargers who came away with the 23-16 win over the Broncos. But their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week dropped them to 8-6 and No. 8 in the AFC seeding, while the Broncos are sitting a game above them (9-5) at No. 7.
Here’s how the AFC playoff picture looks right now:
Division Leaders
1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1; clinched playoff berth and AFC West)
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3; clinched playoff berth and AFC East)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4; clinched playoff berth)
4. Houston Texans (9-5; clinched playoff berth and dAFC South)
Wildcard
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
6. Denver Broncos (9-5)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
Broncos vs Chargers playoff implications
The Broncos are in a good spot. All they need to do is beat the Chargers in order to clinch their spot in the playoffs. That may not be so easy to do. The Chargers are the home team. Then again, the Chargers were obliterated by the Buccaneers at home just last week.
The Broncos do have another way into the playoffs as well, whether they win or lose. They would need the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Cincinnati Bengals to all either lose or tie, and they’re in.
How the Broncos clinch a playoff berth in Week 16
- Win or tie vs Chargers
- Dolphins loss or tie (vs 49ers) and Colts loss or tie (vs Titans) and Bengals loss or tie (vs Browns)
As for the Chargers, they do have a way to clinch a spot, but they’ll need to win or tie, and then also need help on top of that. A loss would put them at 8-7 and two games behind the Broncos, leaving them to compete with the Bengals, Colts, and Dolphins for a spot in the postseason.
How the Chargers clinch a playoff berth in Week 16
- Win vs Broncos and Dolphins loss (vs 49ers) and Colts loss (vs Titans)
- Tie vs Broncos and Dolphins loss or tie (vs 49ers) and Colts loss or tie (vs Titans) and Bengals loss or tie (vs Browns)
A loss by either team will not eliminate them from contention. There is a good chance that these teams end up being the No. 6 and No. 7 seed anyway, but which one is where will also be important.
The No. 6 seed is likely to face the 10-4 Pittsburgh Steelers or 9-5 Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round. The No. 7 seed is likely to have to face the 11-3 Buffalo Bills...on the road. It will be in both teams' best interest to fight for that No. 6 spot.
The game between the Broncos and Chargers kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night from SoFi Stadium. You can follow along with our live text coverage of the game brought to you by our own Dane Arlauckas right here on AS USA.
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