Recreation outcome: The Chargers corralled the Broncos on Thursday Night time Soccer, and it was greater than only one sport that they gained. The Chargers additionally handed the Broncos within the AFC playoff image. Each groups are 9-6, however LA has the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping Denver.
Each groups may additionally clinch playoff spots this weekend if the groups tied for eighth place fall by the wayside.
Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season begins with a basic AFC West matchup because the Los Angeles Chargers play host to the Denver Broncos. Not solely is that this a sport that includes two storied rivals, however playoff spots are on the road on this matchup.
The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight over the Chargers, and Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot of their very own with a win tonight and somewhat assist over the weekend.
Here’s what is at stake on this AFC West conflict, the place the Chargers are favored by 2.5 factors at FanDuel Sportsboook.
Broncos playoff image
Denver has two pathways to the playoffs right here in Week 16. The primary is slightly simple, whereas the second requires the Broncos to get somewhat assist from their buddies.
The simplest approach for the Broncos to get in? A win over the Chargers tonight. Denver would additionally clinch a playoff berth ought to tonight’s sport towards Los Angeles finish in a tie.
Nonetheless, the Broncos can nonetheless again into the postseason with a loss to the Chargers tonight, however that will require them to g et somewhat assist over the weekend. Even with a loss to Los Angeles, the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with:
- A Miami Dolphins loss or tie towards the San Francisco 49ers, AND
- A Cincinnati Bengals loss or tie towards the Cleveland Browns, AND
- An Indianapolis Colts loss or tie towards the Tennessee Titans
If these three video games break their approach, Denver nonetheless will get into the playoffs with a loss to the Chargers.
Chargers playoff image
Whereas the Broncos have a easy “win and in” scenario Thursday evening, issues are decidedly extra difficult for the Chargers. Even with a win over their AFC West rivals on Thursday Night time Soccer, they nonetheless want somewhat assist.
Right here is how the Chargers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
First, they will get in in the event that they beat the Broncos, after which the Miami Dolphins lose or tie towards the San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts lose or tie towards the Tennessee Titans.
Nonetheless, the Chargers may get into the playoffs within the unlikely situation that their sport towards the Broncos ends in a tie. If that occurs. the Chargers get into the playoffs if the Dolphins lose to the 49ers, the Colts lose to the Titans, and the Cincinnati Bengals lose or tie towards the Cleveland Browns.
Ought to the Chargers lose tonight, they can’t clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.
Tiebreaker implications
That is the second assembly of the 12 months between these two groups.
The Chargers gained the primary assembly, 23-16 over the Broncos again in October. Ought to the Chargers win this sport, that will give them a head-to-head tiebreaker benefit over the Broncos.
But when Denver wins, any tiebreaker between the 2 groups would then transfer to the subsequent tiebreaker, which is division report. In the mean time each groups are 2-2 of their AFC West video games, so a Broncos win would then give Denver the next benefit in tiebreakers towards the Chargers. Whereas additionally clinching a playoff spot for the Broncos.
